The intermingling guitar layers in “Dead Malls” by Orchid Mantis with Cathedral Bells enhance its introspective mood. In scarcely more than two minutes the song spans a good degree of emotional and psychological territory of memories and how they resonate with your present experiences in peak moments, in this case seemingly those more melancholic, and the way malls represent for many people an important part of their lives where they met with friends in their youth and perhaps their romantic partners and in that way can be an anchoring memory when you hit a space in your head of uncertainty. In the song’s lyrics we hear a touch about the early romance and the present and thoughts of wondering “if we’ll make it to the end” or if what was built together will disappear without a trace like so many malls. It’s a deep metaphor wrapped in delicately atmospheric guitar pop in which both musicians play off each other with an elegantly intuitive ease. It feels like a good swath of a lifetime experienced in miniature but losing none of the emotional weight. Listen to “Dead Malls” on Spotify and follow Orchid Mantis at the links provided.
Queen City Sounds and Art 
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