“How to Be a Human

Being” by Glass Animals

Released: Aug. 26th

Genre: Indie 

Grade: B-

After only one album, Glass Animals has been able to invent its own path in the indie music scene by adding an eclectic grouping of instrumentals, like Bollywood-esque sounds to strange electronic vibes and a jungle-like drum beat. These sounds, paired with the slightly monotone and low vocals of Dave Bayley, give the band a unique indie sound similar to Alt-J, but unlike a majority of the bands in the scene. “Life Itself,” the first single from their second album “How to Be a Human Being,” pairs all of these sound creations with a dramatic chime entrance as well. “Youth” starts with a more hip-hop vibe attached with animal noises that leads into vocals similar to their first hit, “Gooey.” Although this second album is as interesting as the first, nothing has changed that much. As an extremely progressive band, I feel like Glass Animals could have taken its sound to the next level by adding even stranger sounds, creating all new riffs and combinations or at least adding different tones to their vocals. “The Other Side of Paradise,” starts off sounding exactly like an R&B song would, instead of in the usual, strange way that Glass Animals usually does. Although the song eventually progresses after two minutes, it never drops in a way it should. It is similar to Muse’s “Madness,” where you continue to listen and hope for something extreme to happen, but instead it continues on in the same, flat, way that it began. In 36 seconds, though, an electronic voice raps “[Premade Sandwiches]” which, if you can understand what is being said, is actually super intriguing in a “fight the system” sort of way.

Download: “Life Itself”

“Bad Vibrations” by A Day to Remember

Released: Sept. 2

Genre: Metal

Grade: A

“Don’t forget that this is a choice, pick your poison, live with remorse,” screams Jeremy McKinnon on the opening and title-track “Bad Vibrations.” After a legal dispute with Victory Records, the band decided to produce their own album “Common Courtesy.” “Bad Vibrations” was produced in the same manner, and continues to show how the freedom of expression they are now allowed has only made their music better. “Exposed” leads with a heavy, drudging bass-line that picks up into intense drumming, guitar riffs, and tearing vocals. The chorus shows off McKinnon’s versatility as he switches from screaming to singing and back into growling. “We Got This” changes the entire pace of the album as it starts off with an acoustic sound and switches into a modern pop-punk jam. Although we’re drowning in those styles of songs, this anthem about self-worth and positivity brings a new light to the scene. Overall, “Bad Vibrations” does a great job of showing the different styles that A Day to Remember is able to create and do. From screaming, to punk-esque songs and a basic sounding rock song such as “Bullfight,” the band is a chameleon in their different creations across the album. 

Download: “Bad Vibrations”