Broken is the finest from Deflecting Ghosts’ latest single, and it should demonstrate that it’s not necessarily a pair, but a trio, what the Kansas based crew—Luke Fitzgerald (vocals/guitar), Rhema Fitzgerald (bass), and Austin (drums)—are capable of, where just three people unwavering ability to toes the line between razor sharp musicianship and raw vulnerability truly clicks. Luke kicks off the track with intricate guitar work and jangles, each note seems processed, then pours into a storm of distortion and groove. Rhema provides the warm, rumbling foundation to the chaos, while Austin’s drums tread from the restrained to explosive without missstep.
It is the emotional authenticity of ‘Broken’ that makes it special. There’s an oscillation of Luke’s vocals, from melodic clarity to grittiness that fits the song’s theme of self confrontation. All the members interplay with each other so well – Luke’s guitar work weaves between heavenly textural relief, enraged searing riffs, Rhema’s bass floating brilliantly around the melodies but providing deep, important bursts of weight and groove, and all those while Austin’s percussive intelligence hauls the land on the track’s most cathartic peaks like a car on a switchback.
The ear for balance with which 'Broken' is produced allows every single element to come through, from its airy introspective verses to a wall of sound ending. Not only do Deflecting Ghosts perform, they feel and this track is proof of the band’s shared chemistry and unapologetic honesty. For those who like modern rock with a heart, “Broken” is a master class in taking pain, and making it power.
