Heartbreak has been the catalyst for some of the best songs ever written. The emotional turmoil expressed through a mix of chords and melody that somehow help make sense of the apocalypse within the heart. It’s this emotional blood letting we find on the debut single from Madrai ‘Leaving on My Own’. Frontman Callum lays himself bare across the four and a half minutes run time. The honesty and vulnerability expressed is both frightening and cathartic while allowing the listener to connect instantly to track. All draped over a laid-back melancholy indie rock track with flourishes of Frusciante that underpin the still stinging wound.
Madrai – Leaving On My Own (Spotify Link)
Madrai are the logical eventual conclusion of a writing partnership between Callum and Odhran (guitar/backing vocals). Having met in college the pair began working on material and soon pulled Rory (bass) and Barry (drums) into the fold. An instant chemistry between the players signalled the start of the band. After a lot of searching the name Madrai rose out of the mire, the Irish for ‘dogs’ branding the band.
Despite the songwriting engine being powered by Callum and Odhran, each member has input in the process, bringing their own unique perspective and taking their respective hammers to the anvil when crafting the songs. This is apparent on the new single ‘Leaving on my Own’. Starting life as a loop pedal jam, the song found life when Odhran presented it to Callum leaving him to arrange the song and in the process become a mausoleum for the end of a relationship.
The song starts with some Mayer-esque chords and picking, already seemingly drenched in a heartbreak as Callum intones ‘Never thought I’d live to see the night, you would try to make me choose a side’. Rory’s bass acts as a melodic counter-part to the vocals, that starts to add a gentle push to track when Barry’s drums join in fully in the pre-chorus. The chorus opens up with a wistful melancholy, painting a picture of time wasted for a call that never comes. The second verse has purpose and drive, a feeling of defiance reflecting the line ‘I’m already gone’. Odhran adds melodic picking in the verse and builds the tension in the pre-chorus with a flurry of lead guitar. The solo is an expressive yearning for what came before but looking forward to horizons anew. Callum speaks of the band helping pull him through this difficult time, having a place to dissect these complex emotions helped him approach the writing process in an honest and candid way.
When the band came to choose someone to capture their sound for their debut, they turned to Jonny Woods in 1980 Something Studios. Jonny’s sharpened ears and experience allowed the band space to explore ideas and collaborate together in realising the final track.
The band arrive with their debut but feel fully formed. There’s no growing into their sound to be done, a confident performance and mature song writing add weight to the emotion on display here. ‘Leaving on My Own’ will have you reaching for the repeat button.
Madrai headline Ulster Sports Club July 14th