If a love child of Liz Phair and Evan Dando of The Lemonheads existed, it would be Flower in the Brick, the sophomore album from Myra Keyes.
With a vibe of ‘love, girlhood, and bathtub thoughts’ Myra not only infuses each song with a distinct hue but creates a vivid sound for each. Like fellow artist and musician, Sky_A, Myra has synthesia and while there is no big picture thematics to Flowers in the Brick, she confesses,
“I tried to write and produce every song to be a different color. The moods of the songs are reflected in both the music and the lyrics. Cohesion is important to me. The lyrics/subject matter in ‘MME’ would never work atop the instrumentation of a song like ‘Stale,’ and vice versa. Lyrics need to match the energy of the music, I think.”
Each song is a kaleidoscope of emotions, with lyrics that are reflective and retrospective.. From the dreamy melodies of “Powder Blue” to the haunting introspection of “Wilt,” she takes listeners on a journey through the depths of her psyche.
On “Wilt,” she she explains,
“I wrote that song after reading a short story called ‘The Tree’ by Maria Luisa Bombal for my senior year high school English class. ‘The Tree’ is about a lonely woman in search of love who lives in a sort of misery…her husband ignores her, and those around her find her simple. She seeks refuge in the gum tree outside her window, and the tree stands as a symbol of the woman herself and her emotional journey whilst serving as her only companion. In the end, the tree is cut down, she leaves her husband, and her entire world is anew.”
She further adds,
“That’s the loose gist of the story, at least. It makes me cry when I read it. ‘Wilt’ is a yellow song. And really the whole idea of the album is distilled in that. Nature persists almost recklessly, as if to say: ‘Yeah, you built a path here, so what?’ Tree roots make bumps in the sidewalks, and grass and weeds grow in the roads. Each song is like a species of plant winding up through the concrete.”
Collaborating with engineer Kendra Lynn, Myra enlisted the talents Joe Mengis from the Eels for drums and cellist Anna Fritz from Portland Cello Project to bring her vision to life. The result is a mesmerising fusion of raw energy and refined craftsmanship, with Myra’s layered guitars, expressive basslines, and ethereal vocals guiding the listener through a labyrinth of sound.
Standout tracks like “Clubs,” “MME,” and “Skylight” showcases her ability to blend pop sensibilities with gritty rock and roll, while “The Viewpoint” offers a moment of introspection and empathy amidst the album’s frenetic pace.
Closing track “A Year Above Ground” leaves a lasting impression, with its haunting melodies and lyricism.
A kaleidoscope of emotion and raw energy, Myra Keyes blooms with vibrant indie-punk fusion in Flower in the Brick.
MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “Clubs,” “MME,” “Skylight,” “Wilt”
