Hailing from England, Glass Animals is a band that can be loosely categorized as indie alternative. The band has played at a variety of music festivals over the summer, and the group currently has two albums out, Zaba and How to Be a Human Being.
Their signature sound consists of synthesizers, interesting percussion, vocal effects, and mystifying guitar riffs that will make your head spin. That sound, which was first heard in Zaba, continues in their newest album but has been refined and polished to perfection.
Their sophomore album, How To Be A Human Being, is an album full of stories. Each of the 11 tracks is based on a person that the lead singer met and secretly recorded while touring. Each of these 11 people is represented on the album cover. The stories range from drug addictions to sweet relationships to the downfalls of fame. The way that they managed to craft such lyrically strong songs out of these seemingly disconnected stories is definitely impressive.
As for the music itself, it’s truly enchanting. This album is practically the definition of chill. While some songs are more upbeat and danceable than others, they all bear the mellow, creative stamp of Glass Animals. Synthesizers and subtly strong bass lines run through the heart of each song. The production of this album was definitely spot-on, and it works to create tracks that are initially just pleasant to listen to, but that gradually sink in to convey a deeper meaning. Everything in this album was chosen for a reason, including the instruments used, the vocal effects, and even the melodic sample in “Mama’s Gun,” which was taken from the song “Mr. Guder” by The Carpenters.
Album standouts include “Season 2 Episode 3,” “Cane Suga,” “Mama’s Gun,” and “The Other Side of Paradise.” Here’s a quick review of some of the best tracks on the album.
- Season 2 Episode 3 is a mellow weekend song featuring retro gaming sounds and R&B-esque chord progressions. It is the perfect song to drink your Java City Javalanche to or to jam out to while doing your laundry.
- Cane Suga features a smooth, powerful melodic line, artfully processed vocals, and harmonies that will give you chills. It will make you want to turn off your lights and dance in the dark.
- Mama’s Gun features a mysterious-sounding melodic sample from The Carpenters, which not only works for the overall mood of the song, but also for the story being told.
- The Other Side of Paradise opens with bold synth chords and sound effects, which eventually quiet down to showcase some of the most interesting lyrics on the album.
While these are the standouts of the album, honestly all of the tracks are amazing and will appeal to a wide variety of listeners.
All-in-all, How to Be a Human Being is an amazing indie alternative album that is definitely worth a listen. The tracks range among diverse genres but still have a cohesive chill vibe that binds the whole album together. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, their official YouTube channel, or wherever you usually find music. If you’re looking for something to listen to as you chill in your dorm room on the weekends, this is definitely the album for you.
