A Review of Mountainhead by Everything Everything
Just taking a wild guess, but, are you an indie rock fan? Here at Reed College, the answer is probably yes. So, let the Quest point you in the direction of Mountainhead by UK band Everything Everything, their brand new album releasing today (March 1)! The band consists of lead vocalist Jonathan Higgs, drummer Michael Spearman, guitarist Alex Robertshaw and bassist Jeremy Pritchard and was founded 2007, with their latest LP marking their lucky number seven(th).
Mountainhead is described as, and in practice is, a concept album with a lyrical focus on the disillusionment of modern society. This is most heard on tracks such as “R U Happy?” which deals with existentialism and single “The End of the Condenter,” whose lush hooks complement its lyrical abstractions on the digital age and police presence. The album seems to reach a bit of a turning point conceptually on “Don’t Ask Me To Beg” and “Enter the Mirror,” the latter of which’s music video follows a wooden puppet traversing the forest, interlaced with shots of the band re-enacting some of the abstract shots found in The Blair Witch Project. The lyrics of the former see the band in a moment of dispersion, while the latter focuses on the nostalgia of a friendship, showing the album’s range in terms of lyrical content.
The final moments of the project bring this narrative to a conflicting conclusion. “City Song,” by and far the record's longest song, takes a more carefree and serene approach sonically, perhaps embracing some of the modernism that was previously a point of stress. However the album’s true closer, “The Witness” features slightly eerie synth loops and sentimental vocal leads from Higgs, who depicts himself caught up in the wave of emotions onset by the album’s themes. However, the samples of babies giggling at the very end of the track reinforce the prior song’s hopeful tone, perhaps motioning towards a brighter future.
Regarding the sound of the album, it sits firmly in the indie rock space and rarely deviates from it, however, the band pulls on synth-pop, electronic music and densely arranged art rock as well. Album opener “Wild Guess” establishes the high stakes of what’s to come through a grand sonic display, while single “Cold Reactor’s” chilly vocal loops, sugary synths and speedy vocal melodies serve as one of the album’s catchiest moments. Meanwhile “Buddy, Come Over” switches things up with a syncopated boom-clap beat on the verses and dissonant guitar tones.
The only massive departure is an orchestral interlude in “TV Dog,” whose elegant strings contrast a fun lyrical story all about not listening to what’s on TV.
The album does have a few weak moments though, for example, the repetitive “Canary” or “Dagger’s Edge” which feel redundant sonically and lyrically. However overall, Mountainhead is a quality album, fit for simply bopping along or a more substantive listen if you’re in the mood. If you have the time, take a listen!