My Octopus Mind are an experimentalist band with psychedelic and rock sounds. Coming November 3rd is their third studio album, Trying To Be Normal, and this is what you can expect.
Starting the album is ‘Made Outta Gold’ with a slow, soft opening. Following a slightly eerie and whimsical feel, the track then begins to speed up. The rock influences are immediate with truly odd lyrics and a familiar voice this is a unique track and a brilliant way to begin the album.
The next track in Trying To Be Normal is titled, ‘High Roller’. With a fast start and strong beat this is a heavier song to the last, expressing a larger range in vocals. The irregular beats and movie score type of instrumentals work brilliantly with the strong drums throughout. If one thing is for sure, these songs doesn’t get boring.
‘Maiden of Honour’ follows in this album with a far more eerie start to ‘High Roller’. The echoey voice creates an ominous feel. With stunning female backing vocals and pace that constantly plays around and keeps us on our toes, this definitely my personal favourite of the album. Bringing the song to an end is a heavier sound that ties it all together brilliantly. I hope you love it as much as I did!
With it’s echoey and slow start is ‘Made Out Of Lies’. Although it definitely takes longer to get into the song this does add an interesting element to the song. The heavy entrance into the song adds this kind of experimentalist feel, playing around with elements in an honestly captivating manner. This track highlights the fun of the album, the lack of strict conformity, no song is too alike to the next.
‘Made Out Of Lies’ is followed by ‘Converse Conserve’. A much shorter lyric-less piece full of almost obscure sounds. It’s interesting as a piece of art more than anything else.
The following song is named ‘Draining The Swamp’. The first line was almost reminiscent of arctic monkey before swiftly moving into a more psychedelic and art rock feel. The glitchy sounds express this electronic side of their music whilst still highlighting the experimentalist nature of their work. The track is full of fun beats despite the underlining bittersweet tone.
The next track is ‘Moving Slow’. Distinctive for its high vocals and backing music, giving an almost electronic goth feel. Using long notes and layering the band have truly developed a unique style throughout this album. With a flare of the dramatic and a subtle emotional feel this is a combination not to miss.
With its wacky staccato opening is ‘Minor Celebrities’. This track, with its voiceover style speaking and fun, heavy sound is artistic in its excitement.
“Wandering Alone” comes next with its heavy opening. Full of movement and feeling, it’s a track that’s sure to be brilliant live. As the song gets ever so slightly softer, long-lasting notes are added, creating another wonderful element to the song. Although the lyrics stand out less in “Wandering Alone”, the vocals are genuinely interesting and create a unique sense of importance to the words anyway. The pace and tone changes prevent the song from ever getting boring and paired with heavy instrumentals, it’s something to recognize throughout the bands work.
“Sabretooth Monkey” is the final song in this album. With a slightly Gorillaz beginning, especially in regard to the opening lyrics this song shows a new side to the band whilst still playing with their familiar feel. The track has a strong use of electric guitar and instrumentals with an electro goth meets grunge feel. “Sabretooth Monkey” really finished the album of with a bang.