Eric,
Nice production. Sound quality is good. I will try to answer your question about melody having been there, and still there to some extent. It seems your approach is similar to how I used to do it. Come up with a chord progression you like, make a backing track and then try to fit a melody over it. What you end up using this approach is something that the ordinary listener never gets, they can't pick up the melody. The song has to be built the other way around, melody first, then the chords and harmonies. If you can develop a melody/lyric that is interesting to a listener with only a simple acoustic guitar or piano accompaniement, then you probably have it right. Then build your backing track around the melody. I hope you take this suggestion in the contructive manner it was intended, as mentioned, I struggled with this approach for years and still catch myself doing it. Your production skills and playing are quite outstanding so you already have a leg up in the regard. Sounds good.
Regards