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Glass Animals – How to be a Human being

 How to be a human being (HTBAHB) is glass animal’s sophomore album that was released in 2016. And while I had known about the band before then, I was never into them until early to mid-2017. While many of the times I’ve listened to this album sober, many of my fondest memories of it are of me drinking, tripping on acid, or driving from my dorm to my parents’ house while this is standing in as the soundtrack of the night (or day). So, to help me write this “review” I’ve done my best to get into that mood of slightly lit, by taking 5-6 shots of tequila, drinking 3 beers, and smoking a small bowl while a friend of mine drives me around town to random destinations; right now, we’re on our way to the lake front to pass by and people watch. While this one of the few albums that I like every song on and find myself skipping very few, my person favorite tracks are Agnus, Season 2 Episode 3, The Other Side Of Paradise, and Pork Soda. While any drink is fun to have while listening to this album, the last few listens during this car ride I’ve been sipping on tequila mixed with orange juice and sprite.  Agnus, much like The Less I Know The Better by Tame Impala, sounds happy and up beat until you listen to the lyrics, however despite being about loosing someone to addiction it can still bring joy to the listener. For Season 2 Episode 3 I never really remember it’s lyrics but it has some nostalgic Mario sounds that just make me want to drink and play super Mario bros. The Other Side Of Paradise stands out for me as it is the song that barks at the listener and has some cool guitar parts. If you’re going to the beach, a park, or even just going lay out somewhere and need a calming album to play or select songs from this is a perfect album, it’ll give you feelings of joy, sadness, and maybe even some erotic feelings even though I can’t figure out why that would happen. Lastly, Pork Soda stands out with opening with chanting of the phrase “pineapples are in my head, got nobody cause im brain dead” and with it being playing in a way that it sounds like it’s going down a spiral it always makes me feel like im drifting or spinning even though I may be laying down staying still, or it could just be the drugs, who knows.

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Arctic Monkeys – Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino

 When listening to this album the words “jazzy sci-fi smoke lounge” stood out in my head when thinking about how to describe its vibe. While Arctic Monkeys past works have been to a much faster pace and even started off feeling more punk rock-ish, this album is far from that sound, but still very much is enjoyable. The song “star treatment” gives off a feel that their slower songs were mashed up with elevator music, and while this would be considered a bad thing, it works for the sound of the album as a whole. Through the whole album, however, we are pulled along through Alex Turner’s soft and almost melancholic voice, creating a sort of jazz club singer vibe with his sound. Some standout songs from the album are 9. She looks like fun 6. Four out of five and 2. One-point Perspective. As a whole the album stands out from their past works, and while it may not be as rock and roll, the vibe it gives is welcome and shows that as a band they can go anywhere from this point.

 Image link: https://goo.gl/images/FFkXsJ

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Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures

You might know this album as that shirt from hot topic, but it has far greater impact than that. Unknown pleasures cranks in at just under 40 minutes of post-punk orgasmic music. From the start with “disorder” the album rushes out the gates strong and stays strong till the end of “I Remember Nothing.” Through the whole album there’s the late Ian Curtis’ deep haunting vocals with electric/80’s techno vibes. If listening from start to finish is not your thing, don’t worry as the songs are equally as good standing on their own. Out of all the songs on here though, I strongly recommend 1. Disorder 6. She’s Lost Control 7. Shadowplay and lastly 9. Interzone. Sadly, this is only one of two albums by the band as Ian Curtis passed away before the release of their second album.

Below is the number for the national Suicide prevention hotline. If you know someone who suffers from depression, or is suicidal, or you yourself feel that way, always know there are people out there who care.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255

Image link: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/joy-division-mn0000290812