Album Review: MISSIO - ‘Love & Heartbreak’

Austin, TX alt duo, Matthew Brue (vocals, songwriter, producer) and David Butler (co-

producer, co-songwriter, engineer) of aka MISSIO are back with their sixth album, Love & Heartbreak on July 3rd via Nettwerk! Check out our review and pre-save the record HERE.

Love & Heartbreak represents a continuation of MISSIO’s ability to buck conventions of the music industry and is yet another example of the band’s willingness to turn genre on its head. Brue and Butler effortlessly blend elements alt, electronic, hip-hop, and rock into yet another masterful portrait of the good and bad of the human experience. This time, Brue and Butler have their respective sights set on the ups and downs that come with interpersonal relationships, particularly romantic relationships.

The record features some dynamic singles that lead the way including “Dopamine Kisses”, which touches on how someone can light up another person’s lived experience when the world feels like it is too much. On the first single “I Remember When”, Brue and Butler reflect on the nostalgia and joys of youth, when the world was a little less complicated.

We would be remiss if we didn’t touch on the capstone track of Love & Heartbreak, “The Moment”. The track features intricate string work and Brue’s signature vocal stylings which delicately shift between an almost falsetto and full-bodied vocal work.

The band continue Brue and Butler’s tendency to embrace the difficult subjects. MISSIO has built and almost therapeutic relationship with their fans, the affectionately monikered, MISSIO Mafia. We can’t wait to see how the band works with their fans on issues of love and loss, in the same way they have on issues of addiction and mental health.

Love & Heartbreak is a real winner and might be our favorite release of the year. We’re certain it’s the first of the year to receive the following rating from Founder Michael:

Rating - 5/5