Glass Animals – “Life Itself”

Indie funk-pop quartet Glass Animals have shared the first snippet of How To Be A Human Being, the follow up to the absolutely brilliant debut album Zaba, which was on our list for the best albums of 2014 due to its sleek construction and wonderfully quirky lyrics. “Life Itself,” however, hints at drastic change in the group’s sound, as it swaps out that clean, smooth production and effortlessly hazy vibe with loud, funky drums and angular instrumentals. Although, one thing that thankfully remains static is frontman Dave Bayley’s strong, addictive vocals, which elevate the track from a simple groovy tune to an absolute jam.

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photo courtesy of artist

Band Appreciation Friday – Glass Animals

And all I ever want is breaking me apart

Glass Animals are so wonderfully strange. They are definitely one of the most different, and, one of my favorite discoveries of this year, and that all has to do with the fact that they refuse to go with the flow. Their music is described as “cerebral,” meaning that there’s a heavy use of intricate beats, soft, yet buzzing tempos and backing instrumentals, and cryptic lyrics that tickle the brain into a sense of delicate confusion. The four childhood friends are definitely not afraid to get weird, and that all pours into their music and makes it such an experience to listen to.

Dave Bayley, lead singer of Glass Animals, has a degree in neuroscience, so that explains the fact that his music caters directly to the most sensitive parts of the brain and is described as “cerebral,” as it were. It’s quite ingenious, actually, that he can use his scientific background to make his music sound intellectual and complex, but still manages to make it warm, inviting, and soothing, like the head making friends with the heart. The band started as a solo project until Dave Bayley invited his three childhood friends into the game, and soon, in 2012, they had their first EP Leaflings. Soon after that, they released their debut album Zaba in 2014, and it’s absolutely fantastic. “Flip” starts things off slow, but then erupts towards the end with a full-on electronic orchestral masterpiece. It definitely sets things off on an extremely positive note, and lets the listener know that Glass Animals take influence from exotic R&B tracks and intense sampling. “Black Mambo” starts off with an eerie scratch of strings that give the whole song a sleepy feeling that also manages to leave you on edge. “Pools,” one of my favorites on Zaba, follows the same sort of pattern as “Flip,” but also takes advantage of jazzy tropical beats and melodies and almost simulates the experience of being in a hot, sticky jungle. Dave Bayley has this sort of thick, yet flexible voice that wavers and shines in the most beautiful ways, and his falsetto is just as breathtaking as his brooding, mysterious side. Speaking of his voice, it really takes center stage in their single “Gooey.” “Gooey” is just one of those songs that has more than one meaning. It stands out from all the other songs on Zaba, and utilizes Glass Animals’ more evocative, seductive side. It’s smooth and textured at the same time, and it seems to glide seamlessly through the air. The lyrics are, different, to say the least, but it’s a good example of the band’s creativity and quirk. “Toes” is softer, more relaxed, and “Wyrd” along with “Intruxx” focus more on instrumentals and choral like vocals. The edge found in the first half of the album reappears in “Cocoa Hooves,” where the guitar vibrates and hums secretly while Bayley croons in the most hushed way. The chorus is sharp, metallic, and ridden with high-pitched melodies and tones that make the whole song unpredictable and almost ethereal. “Jdnt” is the showstopping closer, and seems to take a little bit from every past song, making it well-rounded and sort of a last battle cry before the plunge into silence. Overall, Zaba showcased the most exotic, provocative, and tropical sounding sounds that meshed extremely well with indie R&B electronic beats, and the combination of the two creates an atmospheric ambiance that attempts to envelop you in sound. Glass Animals are a fresh new take on the alternative electronic genre, and I can’t help but admire how different they really are. They’re dark, mysterious, and often-times cringe worthy with their lyrics, but at the same time there’s a subtle playfulness that supplies light and warmth. It’s music that you can play no matter what mood you’re in, and it’s hazy, dreamy sounds will most definitely captivate your head and heart alike.

 

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Glass Animals – “Pools” (Song of the Week 6/11/2014)

I apologize that I haven’t been keeping up with my song of the week posts! I’ve been so busy these past few days with so many projects that I just didn’t have time, unfortunately. There are simply not enough hours in the day, my friends. However, I’m now hopefully back on track! This week, I’ve decided to highlight the song “Pools” from Glass Animals’ debut album Zaba, considering that it just came out yesterday. I’ve been waiting so anxiously and literally counting down the days for this album to come out after hearing their absolutely amazing single “Gooey” a few months ago, and I can proudly say that it was well worth the wait. It’s exactly how it was advertised. It’s exotic, edgy, smooth, and just perfect for these upcoming summer nights (or any night, quite frankly). Frontman Dave Bayley has this gorgeous, flinty, soft voice, and it goes remarkably well with the complex, intricate music that is gently overlapped on top. Zaba flows really well, with it touching on a number of different influences and techniques (including R&B and psychedelic undertones). It’s the kind of music that tingles your spine and gives you goosebumps, especially when you listen on earphones. “Pools” is definitely the most upbeat, colorful, and energetic on the album, and everything from it’s quirky lyrics to it’s amazing tribal inspired music is perfection. Glass Animals will definitely be noticed soon with this amazing album, and I’ve really enjoyed listening and dissecting every single track, which is why this song is song of the week.

 

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