Riding off themes of momentous scale and sizable importance, Brick + Mortar’s anthemic juggernaut of a record combines the best of synth rock moments together into a cohesive and epic record that reaches the zenith it aspires to climb to. The sound across the record, beginning from the immense ‘Mystery to Myself’ is continually massive, larger than life, and altogether over the top. The sounds have a scale, a power and raucous uproar that has you singing along to the sheer opulence and screaming melodies of it all. But, hidden behind that almost stadium filling energy, lies darker lyrics that underlie much more problematic and dreary emotional depths.
Mystery to Myself begins the album on a high note, oscillating between the almost triumphant and superb highs of its pre chorus to its more subdued yet infectious melodic delivery of its chorus line. ‘Don’t Panic’ is much more obtuse, a rather confusing and unsettling myriad of distorted guitars and screaming guitars alongside staccato jumps between loud and soft vocal delivery that leaves you perplexed and unsettled, almost doubling the anxiety it claims to placate. Then, on ‘No Money To Love You’, Brick + Mortar jump into a much more pop rock sensibility. With a rapid fire verse delivered almost like a rap rock section, it’s an assault onto your senses but its supreme pace and fiery flow just has you head banging along in complete acceptance. By the time that melodic section hits, you’re so ready to accept it all.
There’s so many gems on Melting UP. The entire record feels like a blur, a hazy and fiery flourish of synth rock that’s ruthless in its execution and raging in its message. Delving into themes of economic inequality, social justice, depression, and everything in between, Brick + Mortar don’t spare a moment or shed a fear in expressing themselves. It’s raw, unfiltered, and authentic to its core.