Rebirth. Relive. Repeat. is the follow-up to Maebe’s self-titled 2020 debut and the leap forward is astonishing. With self-produced instrumental guitar music being flooded into the world at a sickening rate, it takes something special to stand out, and this album certainly qualifies. These songs are so much more than a showcase of Michael Astley-Brown’s formidable guitar shops – they’re living, breathing compositions that conjure vivid images and emotions without a single word.
The record hits a few familiar beats, calling to mind the euphoric math-rock of ASIWYFA and the restrained beauty of MONO but there’s an intoxicating freshness to the vibes, and a liquid fluidity to the way the songs evolve that makes this an intensely satisfying listen.
Rebirth. Relive. Repeat opens with a melancholic beauty, all swirling guitars and dreamy atmospheres. It’s half mournful, half euphoric, and the songs grow in intensity as we move through the first few songs. The title track shows a masterful command of dynamics and groove, with the gorgeous guitar layers pulled back and forth between frantic riffs and languid moments of calm.
It’s apparent that Maebe is now a fully fledged band – despite this album again coming solely from the mind of Michael the way the instruments mesh together feels much more authentic and “live” in a way that the self titled album never quite managed. There are moments where we get some finger-twisting guitar pyrotechnics, but this time they’re backed up by a rhythm section that matches and propels the track along with the widdly-widdlys, and the calmer moments are even more downright beautiful when they hit off the back of the fretboard fireworks. ’50 Words for Bro’ is a prime example, opening with intricate mathy riffs that give way to soaring melodies and by the end of the track both are happening at once and there’s a tear in our eye.
“The calmer moments are even more downright beautiful when they hit off the back of the fretboard fireworks”
The gorgeous soundscapes are just one part of ‘Rebirth. Relive. Repeat’ and they’re tempered by the heavier side of the album, which comes more to the fore as we work through the track list. First single ‘Harsh Realm’ grooves, pummels and weeps in equal measure, moving through euphoria, doom, and hope before a first-pumping finish with just enough shred to put a grin on your face.
There’s a slight lull in the middle of the album, where the intensity is traded for a contemplative patience and the layers of guitar ebb and flow without the expected climax, building into some of the more “progressive” tracks which offer a refreshing change of flavour. Less immediately accessible than the first few tracks, this brief departure into the more exotic realms of Maebe’s arsenal might take a few more listens to fully appreciate, but it’s a necessary diversion on the path to the finish line.
Special mention to ‘Stay Together for the Cats’ ,a wonderfully sincere moment of vulnerability that showcases how valuable restraint can be in instrumental music. Equal parts uplifting and heartbreaking, it’s a perfect way to set up the tail end of the album.
By the time we reach closer ‘Monolith’ the guitars are tuned lower, the rhythm section lumbers along with a doom-laden purpose, and the lead tones become ugly and abrasive. This turn into darkness marks a leaner, more purposeful Maebe and by the close of the album we’re into a full-blown riff fest.
Rebirth. Relive. Repeat improves on its predecessor in almost every way, and with the prospect of a more collaborative writing effort for their next release, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Maebe in the future. Long live the electric guitar.