JUNE 3, 2021
Written By Eric Foreman
PILLEA RELEASES HIS INTROSPECTIVE RECORD "SWELL"
“Stuck to my bed the first panic attack of my life”
Micah Brown is lost in his own head. His introspection is punishing but his willingness to be honest is commendable. No matter how expansive, you sense that regret is always just around the corner in his mind. However, through his debut record as Pillea he infers that you can not only survive this state but that you can learn and carry on.
Based in Montreal, Quebec, Brown has already had extensive experience as a musician and as a technician. He fronts a popular pop-punk band (MAANS) and has had years of experience as an audio engineer/producer. All of this knowledge lends itself to his emotional and brave solo outing as Pillea. Through the 8 tracks, he mines his life experience for observations from relationships and from his mental state.
Based in Montreal, Quebec, Brown has already had extensive experience as a musician and as a technician. He fronts a popular pop-punk band (MAANS) and has had years of experience as an audio engineer/producer. All of this knowledge lends itself to his emotional and brave solo outing as Pillea. Through the 8 tracks, he mines his life experience for observations from relationships and from his mental state.
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The record drops right into melancholy with “The Weight”, a Dashboard Confessional-esque ballad that centers acoustic and electric interplay which is consistent throughout the album. Brown’s vocals sound strong over the steady instrumentals providing a melody that floats over the dueling guitars. On “Suffering”, the addition of a slide guitar evokes a dreamy buzz that is punctuated by Brown’s travel in and out of falsetto. Throughout these songs, Pillea sings of misery as an essential experience, as ubiquitous as seasonal allergies or tripping over one’s own feet. While this may almost come off as wallowing, you must respect Brown’s emotional honesty and earnestness. Moreover, this anguish does not exist in a vacuum. Through his lyrics, the listener gets the sense that Brown has truly learned from his experiences, with glimmers of hope peaking out of his downcast outlook.
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Title track “Swell” is a midtempo jam with hints of twinkly guitars drifting over a driving electric rhythm. In this track, Brown confronts imposter syndrome within his musical identity – thinking of the risks inherent in a career in music. Near the end of the song, he catches some perspective, “Who am I to be dissatisfied/Would I rather fail or die?”. This continues into next track “WIIP”, which begins with an electronic beat that steps into his reverb soaked vocals. The layering evokes a campfire sing along with lyrics that finally encourage the listener to take on the onus in brightening their mind state. This perspective is also seen on second track and album highlight, “Great Success”. The upbeat, catchy indie rock track showcases some of Pillea’s best playing and melody writing. Where Brown flaunts insecurity on later tracks, he jumps ahead on this track in a rare moment of him prioritizing himself. For just under 3 minutes, he is respecting his own boundaries and appreciating that the best you can do is will always be the best you can do. It is truly refreshing.
Closer “Steal Your Time” perfectly encapsulates the initial anxiety turned nervous excitement of a new relationship. A subject that may seem a bit light compared to some of the matter on previous tracks but no less important. The song has a 90’s rock vibe to the muting guitar patterns and the infectious guitar lead in the chorus. After all of the internal warfare of the earlier record, the opportunity to spend time with someone who sees you for your fortunes and not just your flaws seem to make a world of difference.
Micah Brown aka Pillea, is as lost as we all are. The difference is that he is able to convey dark, relatable emotions with his lyrics and punctuate these stories with a fitting indie rock soundtrack. While this record is short, it begs for reply value. For further interpretation of the themes and for jamming out to the instrumentals. His stories are melancholic but not depressing. This is because he knows there are things to gain from these lessons, ones that are taught to you and ones you teach yourself. It is clear that he is an experienced musician and storyteller but this record sees him just getting started on something new. I can only hope that we can further follow along with him as his undoubtedly exciting career as Pillea continues.
Closer “Steal Your Time” perfectly encapsulates the initial anxiety turned nervous excitement of a new relationship. A subject that may seem a bit light compared to some of the matter on previous tracks but no less important. The song has a 90’s rock vibe to the muting guitar patterns and the infectious guitar lead in the chorus. After all of the internal warfare of the earlier record, the opportunity to spend time with someone who sees you for your fortunes and not just your flaws seem to make a world of difference.
Micah Brown aka Pillea, is as lost as we all are. The difference is that he is able to convey dark, relatable emotions with his lyrics and punctuate these stories with a fitting indie rock soundtrack. While this record is short, it begs for reply value. For further interpretation of the themes and for jamming out to the instrumentals. His stories are melancholic but not depressing. This is because he knows there are things to gain from these lessons, ones that are taught to you and ones you teach yourself. It is clear that he is an experienced musician and storyteller but this record sees him just getting started on something new. I can only hope that we can further follow along with him as his undoubtedly exciting career as Pillea continues.
