Code Orange - 'Mirror'
Genre bending hardcore giants Code Orange release dynamically disparate single ‘Mirror’ from upcoming album ‘The Above’.
Pittsburgh legends Code Orange have always been difficult to pin down sonically; leaning into the individual talents of band members to creatively push the boundaries of hardcore, industrial metal and alternative rock across the past 15 years.
On the bands newest single, ‘Mirror’, guitarist Reba Meyers takes centre stage with a beautifully emotive performance, held up by a lush, nostalgic soundscape crafted by the rest of the members.
Drastically different from anything the band has ever released, ‘Mirror’ sees the band flex a softer sound which echoes the grungey tones of Adventures, a band which featured three members of Code Orange including Meyers, as well as bass player Joe Goldman and lead vocalist Jami Morgan.
Otherworldly synths accompany dreamy strings and an electronic sounding drum line, as Meyers’ melancholic vocals teleport the listener through an existential landscape, solemnly questioning: “Are you happy now? / Will you ever be? / Is it enough now? / ‘Cause you know it’ll never be.”
Reba notes that: “this song has a special place in my heart. To me, it’s the climax of this style of my writing in this band thus far.” Despite massively pushing the boundaries of the band’s sound, the track still conveys an audibly intense atmosphere that has become synonymous with Code Orange.
The moody sound of the track also feels heavily inspired by The Smashing Pumpkins; an apt nod to the 90s alt-rock legends, with lead singer Billy Corgan featuring on the band’s previously released single ‘Take Shape’.
The single’s release is accompanied by a visually striking video directed by the band’s visual/audio collective NOWHERE2RUN, utilising live action, stop motion, claymation, and rotoscoping to create a compelling juxtaposition between isolation and gorgeous technicolour.
Code Orange’s new album ‘The Above’ is released at the end of the month on September 29th via Blue Grape Music.
Words by Ben Jones
