With a myriad of sun-scorched guitars, carefully layered synths, and heart-warming lyrics, it’s all too easy to get lost in the lush sonic landscape of Melting Reeds’ immersive debut EP ‘Sundown.’

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Stream: ‘Sundown’ EP – Melting Reeds

Music, for many of us, is an escape.

A place where we can find beauty, self-acceptance, and healing. Music often delivers nostalgia in its strongest sense which can serve as a reminder for life’s many dreams, mistakes, and triumphs. It is through music we are transported to huge, complex, and meaningful worlds which occupy a special spot in our lives.

Capitalizing on a sense of escapism, Belgian psych outfit Melting Reeds present Sundown, (released February 13th) a debut laced with vivid, intimate, and comforting soundscapes. The EP’s five enchanting tracks guide us through the warmth and depth of a life full of hope, self-reflection, and growth which is sure to put your soul at ease.

Your wait is finally over
You found what you are looking for
Some things are rare and so pure
It might as well be a cure

– “Ô Creagh’s Run,” Melting Reeds

The opening vocals to “Rhan” are stirring and bold and, when paired with the nicely layered background vocals, significantly expand the project’s depth of sound. “Lay down and tell me what you want from me,” the lone, tantalizing vocal line repeats, offering a hypnotic yet comforting descent into further relaxation. The energy grows with an intense instrumental passage which then – impressively – takes its time to slow down and strip the music back little by little, the band carefully ruminating on the raw, minimized sound.

The next track depicts the dreamy and mystical setting of “Ô Creagh’s Run,” whose solace is nothing short of captivating. Bright, intimate guitar strums create a kaleidoscopic scope of color and a slow, relaxing chord progression. Mesmerizing imagery of “a place you can hide away… a secret island where nobody possesses a gun” rouses the listener to seek this special place, this carefree utopia embodying escapism in its truest sense.

The opening vocals to “Rhan” are stirring and bold and, when paired with the nicely layered background vocals, significantly expand the project’s depth of sound. “Lay down and tell me what you want from me,” the lone, tantalizing vocal line repeats, offering a hypnotic yet comforting descent into further relaxation. The energy grows with an intense instrumental passage which then – impressively – takes its time to slow down and strip the music back little by little, the band carefully ruminating in the raw, minimized sound.

And i’ve been waiting for so long now
I’ve done so wrong but i can’t hide it
And i’ve been watching the horizon
In hope to see the horses riding – but i can’t

I found my true friends on the way
But something’s been missing for thousands of years
Witches are all we have left now
So long live the king
A long life he’s already lived

– “Horizon,” Melting Reeds

“Horizon,” an aptly titled midpoint for the EP, finds Melting Reeds in a state of self-remembrance. The mood flips from fantastical to melancholic as the vocalist reflects on past low points, including some misuse of money, and moments of doubt. Even an attempt to look forward and watch “the horizon / in hopes to see the horses riding” proves futile, which juxtaposes, yet perhaps justifies the necessity for escape seen in the first leg of the project.

The variation in harmony nicely guides the listener through “I Don’t Care Much,” the powerful rock guitar and ‘80s synth color add a fitting throwback quality to the track. The track delivers the most instrumental variety by far. The driving bass and steady drums in the second leg of the track, create a sense of power which continues to add depth to the tracklist. The vocalist focuses on a past relationship, the refrain of “we got what we got” proving a stronger sense of growth and self-acceptance heard in their performance.

The eponymous closer “Sundown” grounds itself with a calming triplet groove which, again, adds necessary variety to the EP. A thudding bass line, icy guitars, and glittery synths create a dreamy, floating quality which are all too easy to get lost in. “I’m on my own again, but I’ll be ok today,” Melting Reeds state as the sun goes down and the music fades.

That’s what I thought
all you got is a life and all you do is a waste
that’s what I thought
I’ll be there once again to clean up the mess you made
That’s what I thought
she said I’ll be somebody somebody one day
that’s what I thought
So i started again and finally found out my way

– “Sundown,” Melting Reeds

A memorable introduction, Sundown can perhaps be split into three parts: A dream-like morning ‘sunrise,’ a tangible and realistic ‘mid-day’ section, and a hopeful, conclusive ‘sundown’ – a comprehensive and relatable depiction of a life experience.

Melting Reeds’ warm and impressive take on the psych genre offers clear production and storytelling in what makes for a calming and meaningful listening experience many a music fan is sure to find solace in. Stream the band’s debut EP exclusively on Atwood Magazine!

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Watch: “Sundown” – Melting Reeds

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SUNDOWN

an EP by Melting Reeds