MENU Preps ATL For a New Odyssey in Highly Anticipated Upcoming Album - Single “Castling”
Photo courtesy of MENU
For the last two years, Atlanta-based loud band MENU have been quietly crafting a new auditory adventure for their loyal following.
Since their 2021 release Homecoming and subsequent singles, original members Steve Martin, Mick Hutchins, and Chris Bunting have joined forces with drummer Mike Michaels, guitarist Yoatzin Anaya, and bassist James Norton III to bring a new technical proficiency to MENU’s emotionally driven songwriting.
The upcoming album titled Meridian finds the 6 artists in a state of acceptance, liberation, and most importantly, reflection. With themes of love, loss, and introspection, the lyrics seek to provide comfort to those accepting change as a result of those themes.
“Castling”, releasing on October 17th, is the first glimpse of a new horizon from atop a summit reached after two long years of the band tirelessly sharpening their skills and their stories. The artwork shows the views from those first steps to that summit by French artist Hugo Mille.
“I feel like the peaceful setting conveys the atmospheric vibe I get from [these] songs, while the huge, somewhat chaotic cloud creates a contrast, representing the high energy radiating from [their] vocals.”
Stylistically, “Castling” features independent guitar lines carefully interwoven to form a bed for soaring and painfully vulnerable vocals performed by Steve and Mick.
It drives with a force that is inspired by Mike’s drum performance, notably layering his kick and snare hits in some sections, reminiscent of rhythms found in EDM. James provides slap-bass techniques with tones you may find on a Third Eye Blind record, not common in the genre.
“Castling” primarily encompasses. Chris provides an inviting sax counter melody throughout the track but specifically in the bridge, creating a runway for the final chorus to crash-land into greatness. Corey Bautista (The Callous Daoboys, standards, Woe, Is Me) brings the band’s creation to life through recording, production, and mixing. His signature style adds clarity and warmth to the walls of guitars while emphasizing the sweetest parts of the quiet stuff.
Mastered to perfection by Kris Crummett (Dance Gavin Dance, A Lot Like Birds, The Story So Far.) The track’s lyrics are not happy. They are close to their breaking point but they are honest. They are the cries of quarter-life crisis-ridden 20-something year olds that just learned that they really are good enough. They don’t have to hide in their dungeons - they are allowed to take up space. They can leave the castle and all their defenses behind in search of something more. Go find it. The band will be celebrating the release of “Castling” at their upcoming show on October 30th in Smith’s Olde Bar’s Music Room.
Tickets are available HERE
