Animal Scream – Otherworldly Pictures
Pittsburgh-based act Animal Scream are purveyors of the genre of “doom pop” – their music is curated with a nod toward sound design best described as “noir,” with hints of psychedelia and synth-pop sneaking through. The founding duo of Chad Monticue and Josh Sickels teamed up with multi-instrumentalist Caleb Pogyor for their latest offering, the six-song Otherworldly Pictures, an EP that is probably better described as an experience than a casual listen.
The EP kicks off with a steady heartbeat before exploding into synth bombast on “It’s Gonna Be Cruel.” Post-punkish bass pounds a steady rhythm before distorted vocals come in to set the scene. As the song evolves, more and more synth textures get layered in – think flute-like tones and some sparkly twinkles. Before long, the band launches into a super-melodic chorus – a welcome development for a crew who take their sound design so seriously. Fans of Grizzly Bear or Tame Impala should immediately start salivating at this tasty development.
For those looking for a bit more of a left-field flair, check out “A Tiny Love” – diving deep into funky vibes, this song is absolutely full of otherworldly noises that beg to be experienced with an immersive headphone-fueled journey. For a more tropical vibe, check out album closer “Green Bag,” a bongo-filled chill-out that might ease some of your winter blues. “Slow Down” has poolside vibes too – watery vocals and bell-tone guitars sound like a relaxing afternoon spent sunbathing. Our favorite tune here goes to title-track “Otherworldly Pictures,” with its ultra-deep bass groove and sighing guitar atmospherics.
Otherworldly Pictures is out now (February 14th, 2025). Check out lead single “A Tiny Love” via the YouTube embed below, and if you like what you hear, add it to your favorite Spotify playlist.
Categorised in: Album Reviews
This post was written by Nick Sessanna