Memphis May FireBroken

Following the release of last year’s one-off single Virus, Memphis May Fire return with their sixth 10-track album in the form of Broken.

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As expected, Broken has taken the route that Virus set, forgoing the metalcore roots of the band for a more radio-rock friendly approach.

While vocalist Matty Mullins does occasionally break out the screams, much of this album has clean vocals over the typical Memphis breakdowns. There’s nothing wrong with this approach, it seems to be a growing trend at the moment, but other bands have done it and done it better.

Take Asking Alexandria or Bring Me The Horizon, both of whom have progressed to more radio-friendly albums and yet maintained a strong and recognisable sound.

On the other hand, Memphis May Fire have drifted into generic territory. It feels as though the band has attempted to cash in on the ‘turn to rock’ trend and there are moments on Broken where it shows. Previous albums such as The Hollow and Challenger show what the band is capable of and it doesn’t help their latest release stand on its own.

Overall, Broken doesn’t feel like an album as much as it feels like a contractual obligation. 

Since 2014’s Unconditional Memphis May Fire have definitely struggled to create a memorable and recognisably MMF album. There’s some experimentation on Broken that is hard to justify. The song Heavy is the Weight for example cuts to a rap verse at the two-minute mark which not only sounds out of place but pulls the listener from the experience. There’s nothing surprising–in a good way–throughout this album and for a band now on their sixth studio release, pulling in new fans and maintaining the old is exactly what they need.

That’s not to say that this album offers nothing. The album’s slower song You and Me showcases some emotion that is void in most of the lyrics and echoes Memphis May Fire’s last album track That’s Just Life. The guitar work is also much like previous Memphis May Fire work. Lead guitarist Kellen McGregor can certainly create some noise, but void of any substance, it becomes repetitive and lacklustre by the halfway point.

Overall, Broken doesn’t feel like an album as much as it feels like a contractual obligation. It feels rushed, as though the bi-yearly release of an album had to be met. The previously released single, The Old Me, ultimately shines as one of the strongest tracks in an otherwise half-hour ride touching on bland lyrics and breakdowns that seem to have lost their power.

Perhaps the album title is really synonymous with the band as Broken suggests Memphis May Fire could be reaching for glory days that may have already passed.   

STANDOUT TRACKS: The Old Me, You And Me, Fool
STICK THIS NEXT TO: Asking Alexandria, Of Mice & Men, The Word Alive