Circus Mind makes a powerful statement with their latest single, “Melt Away,” an energetic track that starts out steady and swells into a relentless sonic delivery. With its evocative writing and texturally varied instrumentation, this is one of those songs that grabs your attention and refuses to let go until the very end.
The lyrics on this track almost venture into psychedelic territory, tackling themes of climate dread and personal dissolution through a message to the Earth with the opening lines “Dear Gaia, can you make it rain?”. It draws on images of humanity meeting the fate of the dinosaurs and mountains meeting the sea to paint an apocalyptic picture.
The message of Melt Away is delivered by arranging the track as a gradual escalation. The single starts out with a focus on the vocals, but the drums and guitars kick in soon enough to give it a more powerful hard-rock sound. But this too changes into a more electronic, synth-driven movement before Metzger comes on board with an incredible guitar solo that encapsulates the chaos that the lyrics depict.
What stands out on this track is how well every segment is arranged. Despite having five distinct sections in just over four minutes, nothing ever feels out of place, reminding you that the members of Circus Mind are seasoned performers who know how to craft a record.
Unsurprisingly, the production on this track is top-notch, with the mix favoring clarity for the rhythm section and keys, while the guitar sits slightly forward when it needs to. The drums are punchy without sounding overengineered, and the reverb and distortion are done just right whenever they’re used.
Melt Away is an effective evolution for Circus Mind, an evocative, cinematic mood while retaining that experimental spirit that they’re known for. The standout guitar cameo from Scott Metzger is a tasteful addition, and this track is a rewarding listen for fans who like their indie rock with texture and narrative heft.