Mako Bron hit us with the pop masterpiece of the EP ‘cloudbites‘ late last year, a release so profound and inspiring we gave it a 9.2 out of 10, making it one of the best 2021 releases (see my review here). ‘Hit The Road’ sees the return of Mako Bron and his ascendant songwriting and pop ingredients remain as fresh and awe-inspiring as ever.
As with much creative material released over the last couple of years, the effects of lockdown and COVID insinuate themselves into the very heart of the track – it was written and recorded during a second Sydney lockdown and reflects a very poignant and treasured memory of the past:
I wrote this song in the aftermath of one of my favourite people in the world passing away. There was a lot going through my head at the time, and I guess it’s a song about being incarcerated and thinking about escape.
The cover photo is of my late grandmother’s (also late) dogs at some point in the 19080s. I love this photo as it captures their personalities perfectly – that’s Fifi on the left and Boros on the right. It’s a perfect moment from my childhood…and I’m not even sure if I was there.
The deep melancholy is captured in the horns framing the song, which has Mako Bron’s signature heart-wrenchingly beautiful melodies that paint epic trails across the firmament and the heart. The song is essentially about yearning for escape – both from the physical and emotional constraints that weigh us down:
Memories of being somewhere that is not here
No bars on the windows and fresh air
Alive and alert this something, I’m in for
Night-time that’s the time that it kicks in
That everything’s gonna be different,
The only place that I’m travelling, is in my head
And I’m, I’m gonna hit the road,
I’m gonna let you go
I’m gonna find myself a better way to be
And I’m, I’m gonna hit the road,
I’m gonna let you go
I’m gonna find myself a better place to be
Mako Bron uses an electronic vibrant and aquatic thrum behind his deep vocals – I am made to think of the vastly underrated Jona Lewie from time past mixed with Depeche Mode, with an eighties bubble pop fringe that covers an air of regret and loss while causing itchy feet and euphoria:
Absolutely beautiful stuff. And who is Mako Bron? It is the somewhat enigmatic and mysterious musician/producer Chris Brookman, actively creating brilliant music in an unassuming and highly under-appreciated manner, deserving of a far wider audience. Check out his earlier releases here.
