Version Two: From the moment of their inception, MAE have existed in the cross-sectional spaces of creation. Art and innovation. Intricacy and accessibility. Beauty and chaos. Head and heart. Theirs was a meticulous crafting of soundscapes; painstakingly deliberate and blissfully spontaneous. This multidimensional juxtaposition formed the friction point that sparked the creation of their now-classic early releases (2003’s Destination: Beautiful and 2005’s The Everglow), as well as the flame that guided their continued exploration throughout the ensuing decade (Capitol debut, Singularity, and the self-released Morning, Afternoon and Evening E.P.s). Attempts to categorize the band’s sound were made regularly and typically culminated in a hyphenated variation of the nebulous “emo” catch-all. But, the defining thread of MAE’s creation was their uncanny ability to find the heartstrings of the listener and make them resonate with a sympathetic hum. However, within those juxtapositions lay a deeper revelation of MAE’s creative direction, a foreshadowing, perhaps. It was there if you listened closely—a tension within the manuka honey melodies, a yearning in the empty spaces, a kicking at the goads of limitation within the pre-determined structures. It was a longing for transcendence, not only of genre, but of consciousness—and not only of consciousness, but of perception. It was the entire reason and impetus behind the name, an acronym for “Multisensory Aesthetic Experience,” the evolving theory that enveloped drummer, Jacob Marshall’s foray into academia. It’s no accident that MAE’s fourth studio LP bears the self-fulfilling prophecy of their namesake. Multisensory Aesthetic Experience, the band’s first full-length release in nearly a decade, is the arguable realization of their aspirations since conception. There is a liberation that occurs within the first few notes of the album, an untethering of the straight jacket of expectations. Categories are tossed back to the game shows where they belong, and the music becomes music, gloriously expansive, explorative, and addictively melodic. The album dips and crescendos moment to moment, song to song with seamless ferocity. From the DMT-infused retro-space odyssey groove of “Kaleidoscope,” to the Byrne-esque mayhem of “The Overview,” to the contemplative hypnosis of “Simple Words,” it quickly becomes apparent that the heart-strings are no longer merely resonating; they’re playing full melodies that deftly counterbalance the compositions. The resulting experience is one that is visceral, impassioned, expansive—and yes, transcendent. The anthemic dynamism of the album’s progression is such that it pushes the listener to the very cusp of the multi sensory aspect for which they’ve been striving since the beginning. But for as much as Multisensory Aesthetic Experience represents the realization of Dave Elkins, Zach Gehring and Jacob Marshall’s collective creative vision, it’s the other aspects of the band’s new chapter that will facilitate its true culmination. The band’s tours in support of the album will be unlike any they’ve undertaken, with an increased emphasis on the experience, utilizing virtual reality to bring the swelling soundscapes to life with new abandon and in greater dimension, to aid the audience in a journey to realms yet unreached. In short, a Multisensory Aesthetic Experience. “When we tour again and tell a new story, we have opportunities we’ve never even considered, even though the band has been called Multisensory Aesthetic Experience for a long time and put out so many releases,” Elkins says. “You have to meet people where they are instead of asking people to come back to where they’ve been. It’s a theme to the album: Keep moving forward. It’s another reason why the band is doing this. When there’s growth and everything feels new, it’s harder and harder to do that. But it’s always possible. If you keep up with that growth, how can you not have your expectations and mind blown? ”Version 1Since day one, MAE have always lived at the intersection of art and innovation. The band – comprised of Dave Elkins, Jacob Marshall, and Zach Gehring –formed in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2001, using their name to represent the overarching concept of Multisensory Aesthetic Experience. It’s an element they’ve weaved through their art their entire career, from a pair of beloved underground albums for Tooth & Nail Records that helped define new-millennium emo (2003’s Destination: Beautiful and 2005’s The Everglow)through the steadfast blue-sky ingenuity of their live show: In 2016 at the Tower of David in Jerusalem, Mae became the first band to perform a synced virtual reality concert experience. The trio’s desire to exist as far more than just a sonic expression ultimately lays the blueprint for exploration and empowerment – and that dogged sense of growth and experimentation is perhaps brighter than ever on their fourth full-length album, Multisensory Aesthetic Experience, due out November 16,2018 on Tooth & Nail Records. Multisensory Aesthetic Experience marks the band’s first LP since 2007’sSingularity (released via Capitol to critical and fan acclaim alike) and their first new music since reforming for anniversary performances of Destination: Beautiful in 2013 and The Everglow in 2015.It was during the sold-out shows celebrating The Everglow that Mae truly realized the impact their art had on listeners around the world: the tales of lives soundtracked by their music, the tattoos of lyrics and album artwork inked on the arms of fans – some of whom even named their children after the band. These stories of personal connection boldly underscored the deep influence of Mae’s music on an entire generation of underground music fans, along with the power of the emotional resonant themes flowing through every aspect of their creative output. Ultimately, they buoyed the band as the trio began a new chapter. Informed by Elkins’ smooth vocals and effortless melodic sensibilities, the11-song collection is undoubtedly Mae. But there’s a new sense of groove imbued throughout tracks like the funk-heavy “Kaleidoscope” and stirring “Autonomy,” the angular alt-rock of “5 Light Years” and pitter-patter pop gem “Let It Die.” It’s the sound of the band honing in on negative space and using it to give their songs a newfound dynamic that ultimately guide the album as a whole. But for as much as Multisensory Aesthetic Experience represents a new direction for Mae’s music, it’s the other aspects of the band’s new chapter that will propel them moving forward. The band’s tours in support of the album will be unlike any they’ve undertaken, with an increased reliance on virtual reality bringing the swelling soundscapes to life like never before – and special Mae Day celebrations that swirl lights and sounds into their most fully immersive experience yet. They even hope to curate a special meal fans can enjoy while listening to the album. It’s all in an effort to bring audiences closer to Mae’s true multisensory mission. “When we tour again and tell a new story, we have opportunities we’ve never even considered, even though the band has been called Multisensory Aesthetic Experience for a long time and put out so many releases,” Elkins says. “You have to meet people where they are instead of asking people to come back to where they’ve been. It’s a theme to the album: Keep moving forward. It’s another reason why the band is doing this. When there’s growth and everything feels new, it’s harder and harder to do that. But it’s always possible. If you keep up with that growth, how can you not have your expectations and mind blown?” XX