Published by Mason Oldridge, 27 February 2024
Art rock band Everything Everything move away from the digital sound heard on their previous release in favour of a more synthetic sounding concept album.
Mountainhead tells of a society focused on building a mountain despite the build resulting in them digging a hole in which they live and acts as a metaphor for capitalism as the labourers sink lower in dangerous conditions so the rich remain at the top.
The theme is carried in the songs, notably lead single Cold Reactor and its topic of cold fusion. Buddy, Come Over is the highlight, with eccentric lyrics and a burst of energy on the chorus over haunting guitar. R U Happy? questions the emotional effect on humans set to an ambient background reminiscent of Radiohead’s Kid A work. The Mad Stone is somewhere between enchanting and sinister with its string sounds whereas Canary touches upon nature, with the chorus set to an almost trap-like beat.
Everything Everything continue to utilise their unique sound and avant-garde approach to music, paired with Higgs’ impressive and standout vocals to make for another artistic piece that capitalises on their individualism.
8/10