Belle Mt 'The Water': A cinematic EP that explores love, loss, rebirth and everything in between
London-based alternative pop group Belle Mt has released a brand new EP titled 'The Water'. Issued by Warner Records, this EP deals with the breakdown of relationships while channeling the unrelenting chaos and comforting quiet that comes along with it. Belle Mt, fronted by singer, songwriter and guitarist Matt Belmont, begins 'The Water' with the sweeping first track titled 'This Kind of Heavy', a soft, piano-driven song written after suffering the loss of a friend. A much-needed catharsis, drummer Chris Burgess and guitarist Ben Worsley help lift it from a sparse ballad to a multi-layered, emotional pop crescendo as Belmont sings, "I can’t find love. Did it run out?" The song is heavily reminiscent of the early Coldplay sound and, with rousing instrumentals, takes the listener on a varied, cinematic journey with twisting and turning emotions.
The next track, 'All We Are', is sunnier and more playful and groovy than the preceding 'This Kind of Heavy', but the lyrics remain heavy as Belmont croons, "If this is all we are, a collection of mistakes and homegrown scars," in a soothing falsetto. Throughout the EP, Belle Mt. floats between soft and soaring inducing various feelings in the listener. The style switches on the third track 'Cannonball' as the band, flexing their musical muscle, employs assert bold percussion and lush instrumentation that plays with the soundscape in a myriad of ways. 'Cannonball' is upbeat and buoyant, much different from the rest of the short and sweet EP.
The following track, 'The Water' displays Belmont’s warm vocals and instrumentals that carry a potent mix of humility, vulnerability and triumph. On the fourth and last track, Belle Mt. expands the sound that has been refining since 2017. 'The Water' further polishes their unique cinematic alt-pop style, which is still rooted in deep poetic lyrics and epic, layered soundscapes. With rippling synth and poignant and deep lyricism, 'The Water' succeeds as an exploration of "love, loss, rebirth, and everything in between," just as the band said it is. You can easily hear their influences, but know that categorizing this music will be a tough job.
The band's frontman Belmont explains Belle Mt.'s music as "an ever-evolving concept that can take on many forms." He also said that, at times, it can manifest as just him performing the most intimate songs solo accompanied by sparse guitar or keys. But, in its current incarnation, Belle Mt. mostly performs as a trio, with a poignant alt-pop sound filled out by long-term collaborators Chris Burgess on drums/percussion and Ben Worsley on guitar, bass, and backing vocals. The band first emerged in late 2017 with their debut EP 'Volume I', captivating audiences worldwide with Matt Belmont’s emotive songwriting and heartfelt vocals. While their first single 'Hollow (Acoustic)' claimed real estate on coveted playlists such as Spotify’s 'New Music Friday', the group performed at SXSW, British Summertime in Hyde Park, Eurosonic, and on the road with KALEO. After amassing multiple millions of streams globally, Belle Mt. inked a contract with Warner Records in 2020.