Released: 26th July 2019
Published by: Republic Records
Fever Dream, the third major release from Icelandic band Of Monsters of Men, is a rousing album that takes them out of their comfort zone in folk to create something different.
With the release of “My Head is an Animal” in 2012, the group established an excellent style in both songs and identity, their unique cultural paintings and art style really standing out amongst other mainstream artists. There was something tribal about them that stemmed directly from their culture and this allowed them to maintain a very popular following through the years, obtaining a whopping eight platinum certifications with their debut album.
The new direction with Fever Dream has delivered great variety in both tone and composition; while the band maintains its strengths, the most powerful tracks are the ones which leverage both the thunderous vocals of Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson with strong musical compositions; often, it’s the more simply written tracks that accomplish this. “Wild Roses” is easily the best of the bunch, crafting the highest crescendo and most engaging rhythm of the set. While the previous album, “Beneath the Skin” focused on raw human emotion, the track list here feels much more pounding and impactful, the opening song “Alligator” conveying a rising rhythm that pulls the listener in for example. At other points, there’s a greater amount of background ambience with titles like “Ahay” and “Waiting for the Snow” which both adopt slower tempos. For the most part, the tracks are powerful and engaging, though in some instances the techno components do overcome the lead vocals a bit, most notably “Under the Dome” which relies more heavily on its compositions to make an impression.
Although not every track hits home, the presentation of the album is a striking one. When compared to the band’s first two albums, Fever Dream is their most vibrant and colourful to date; the music videos oozing and mixing oil and paint into a serene display. This style undoubtedly represents the bright, zany imagination of the mind and serves to craft a very eye-catching aesthetic. Looking to move away from their acoustic routes, this new direction is well presented throughout. There’s also a greater focus on singular vocals, with Nanna often taking the lead more so than previous albums driven by unison.
It’s not quite as wild or showstopping as their debut, but Of Monsters and Men have embarked on a notably different experiment with Fever Dream, extending their talents into uncharted electronic territory. Be it fan or newcomer, there’s plenty of rallying songs to enjoy here.
Rating: B
Commentaires