Memphis May Fire confronts crippling anxiety, violence, disrespect, polarization, substance abuse, and overzealous self-righteousness all over their new music, strengthened by a foundation of hope and renewal at the heart of the lyrics. A new season unfolds for the band, filled with revitalization and renewal. Stripping things down to their core elements, hearkening back to the basement band days when they created the songs their fans cherish the most, Memphis May Fire rekindled the spark within to build a blazing inferno of riffs and inspirational words, as 2021’s burst of new music demonstrates.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our new material,” frontman Matty Mullins declares. “We have melodic songs, with a sense of maturity to them, without sacrificing the energy that we still want to have live.”
The latest outbursts from Memphis May Fire were both produced and mixed by Kellen McGregor, the band’s guitarist who co-founded the group roughly 15 years ago. The longtime rhythm section of bassist Cory Elder and drummer Jake Garland inject the songs with infinite depth and focus. Cameron Mizell, who coproduced 2014 fan-favorite Unconditional with McGregor, produced Matty’s vocals.
Memphis May Fire functions as a sonic confessional, in opposition to the dark brokenness engulfing so many in the modern age, an idea stretching back to the band’s first full-length album, 2009’s Sleepwalking. Songs like “Miles Away,” “No Ordinary Love,” “Beneath the Skin,” “Vices,” “Stay the Course,” and “Carry On” account for 100 million views on YouTube and millions of on-demand audio streams. It’s a testament to the energized connectivity between the band and their audience.
The unity of purpose is palpable at a Memphis May Fire show, as both the audience and band share their life experiences, dreams, and fears, through the power of transcendent music. As important as it is to see the light at the end of the tunnel, there is a great strength to be gained from a sobering, stark look at how it feels to be in the throes of adversity. Memphis May Fire crafts the sound of hope from struggle, delivered by a dedicated group of men who aspire to something more with their art.