French alt-rockers Merge aim high with their sophomore release, ‘Ineffable’. They start well enough, with ‘The Exit’ providing a shimmering opener full of anthemic calls, twinkly synths, and tight instrumentation. However, lead single ‘Soaring’ does not match its namesake. This is a flat follow up, completely devoid of a big chorus. A crucial component for bands on the poppier end of the rock spectrum.
With its haunting electronic opening, title track ‘Ineffable’ will feel eerily familiar to fans of Bring Me The Horizon’s more recent material. In fact, this record has a lot of electronic moments throughout. With Merge seemingly determined to broaden their sound and their audience at the same time. Happily, the production here is tremendously polished. Vocals and harmonies are clean in the mix. Synths are densely layered and composed throughout. Drums are triggered with great effect. Everything sonically sounds great.
Yet, for all of their ideas and tight production, the group’s songs start to feel indistinguishable from each other. With vocal lines becoming formulaic to the point of dull predictability. It is only the baffling choice to include a piano cover of twenty one pilots hit ‘Heathens’ that breaks up a settled routine. Devoid of any true heart or passion, this is mainly style over substance.
These are songs manufactured to soar, and some do, but Merge seem unfocused on what kind of band they want to be. This confusion extends to the sound of the record. R&B, pop, rock, trap, it’s all here, but the implementation is scattershot and sporadic. For example, album closer ‘In Details III’ is an instrumental track brimming with different genres and ideas. It is a shame that this sudden surge in ambition and cohesiveness comes so late on in the record.
2.5/5
‘Ineffable’ by Merge is released on December 2nd.
Words by Joe Philpott (@joe_philpott)
