For some, Brain Paint is a method of neuro-therapy, but for Bristol-based band Maebe, ‘Brain Paint’ is their latest venture further into the world of math rock. In many ways, Maebe’s third album is a neurological stimulus – throwing listeners into a barrage of meteoric experimental instrumental tracks. For the band born from a creative outlet for guitarist Mike Astley-Brown, Maebe has grown into a five-piece force of nature, winding their way through inflections of metal, post-rock and the real head-turner of the modern guitar world – djent.
Opening their first album as a full band with the title track ‘Brain Paint’, Maebe set the tone from the outset, exploding into a high-energy introduction laced with enough guitar tapping virtuosity to pull us in. With its interplay between light and dark, Maebe stamp their identity into their work from the off. It is no mean feat to refine the craft of mixing three guitars, all of which dancing around lead tones and continual chugging, yet the band have achieved this with a delightful proficiency. The subsequent track title, ‘Take No Risks’, is advice that Maebe have thrown by the wayside, as they push the boundaries to end this five-minute colossus with a climactic and awe-inspiring guitar solo.
‘Brain Paint’ is chock full of ‘risks’ which package the album into an intriguing experience, with no two songs taking the same course. Seamlessly transitioning between the glassy tones and delay pedal trickery of ‘Young Lungs’ and the squealing, ‘dialled to 11’ lead tone of ‘God Wit’, Maebe bring a full throttle approach to the way in which they tread new ground. ‘Dripping Colour’ takes the wheel and drives us somewhere we’ve never been – opening with a sonic landscape any fan of Muse will be familiar with, before journeying down the rabbit hole of nerdy musicianship of quirky polyrhythms and dripping in spacey electronic sustain.
The joy of experiencing 'Brain Paint' is the variation woven into the project, whether this is through dynamic and textural changes within a track, or the variation in tone across the album, this evolution of Maebe brings to the fore the band’s rich musical education influences. The sweeping, encircling rush of overdriven guitar is intoxicating throughout ‘lower case song title’, drawing from the pantheon of guitar heroes to bring out their inner Steve Vai. Symphonic in its harmonic development, ‘lower case song title’ is anything but lower case, instead developing its oscillating riff into a dramatic, off-the-scale crescendo – boldly pronouncing itself as the standout track within the album.
'Brain Paint' delivers everything you hope from an instrumental album; it’s punchy in its delivery and thankfully bucks the ever-increasing encroachment of short, throwaway albums across the music industry. And yet within this, Maebe have delivered an unexpected element – ‘Brain Paint’s undeniable charm. They’ve brought a clarity to a mix which always threatens to, but never does, get lost in electronic effects, allowing for each member’s personality to shine through within the album. ‘Downer’ stands out as an anomaly, not just within this project but in the wider math rock scene – Maebe have approached this track with a delicate introspection. Tracks like ‘Downer’ are another string to Maebe’s frankly impressive bow – not only are they purveyors of the modern-day ‘shred’ scene, but they are more than comfortable with sitting back within a track and journeying down whichever melodic road the lead guitar takes.
Underpinning the three-necked guitar band is a powerhouse of a rhythm section which flawlessly provides the album’s insatiable drive, whilst being able to hold back and keep the album’s ambition in check. The embarrassment of riches within the band is plain to hear, with drummer Nicholas Appelgren’s delicate inflections across the kit splashing a bright contrast amongst the angst of a trio of rampaging, overdriven guitars. Dancing around the kit on ‘Young Lungs’ with an infectious energy will surely translate to an unrelenting live experience. The bass guitar’s workload is undeniable, overshadowed by the glamour of interplaying lead guitars, whilst holding down every track and retaining the presence of a mind to dance to its own syncopated tune throughout.
Maebe have taken to life as a band with an assured ease, balancing light and dark, wall of sound and delicate solo work – all combining to create a remarkable record. Packed full of the catchy riffs you just can’t shake out of your head and outstanding showing of musical technicality, if you can catch them on their upcoming tour dates it’s well worth doing so (although maybe after buying some earplugs!). Maebe are a true music nerd’s dream - and 'Brain Paint' arrives as the natural result of the harnessing of passionate enthusiasts pursuing their art.
Joseph Madden
Image: Olly Curtis