Code Orange Ditch Unbridled Fury to Explore a Softer Side in “Mirror”

When it comes to the multi-faceted output of metalcore act Code Orange, there’s really only one thing you can say: “expect the unexpected.” I mean, these guys put out some angry, heavy shit over the years, but that doesn’t mean they’re afraid to go off the beaten trail and explore the depths a bit. Case and point is the new single off their upcoming album The Above, titled “Mirror.”

The new track, released earlier today, trades the brutal tones and angry vocals for a sound that to my mind sounds like it would have fit right in with the artists that played Lilith Fair back in the 90s. Bolstered by a great vocal performance by Reba Meyers, the song is definitely a departure, albeit an interesting one.

“This song has a special place in my heart. To me, it’s the climax of this style of my writing in this band thus far. Take a look in the mirror, are you bored?”

To mark the single’s release, the band put out a visually stunning video, which you can check out below. Directed by the band’s visual/audio collective NOWHERE2RUN, it uses all kinds of film techniques, including live action, stop motion, claymation and rotoscoping to great effect. It’s gorgeous, it’s trippy, and at the end there, we get to see some of the same motifs that we got in the band’s previous single “Take Shape.”

Code Orange drummer Jami Morgan said the video marks a new moment in time for the band’s production arm.

“’Mirror’ is NOWHERE2RUN’s first foray into full music video production from conception all the way to the final edit. It’s fitting that we took on a song that is dynamically disparate from anything Code Orange has ever done. It’s a little softer, a little more lush, and led by a powerful performance from Reba. It’s another important piece of the puzzle that is The Above.”

The Above will release on September 29 via Blue Grape Music, but you can preorder your copy today.