Heard It Here First

Psychedelic pop project Glass Animals has dropped their anxiously awaited third album Dreamland! The Oxford-native production project / band has released an eclectic smattering of sounds since their formation in 2010 – internationally acclaimed singles such as “Life Itself,” “Lose Control (feat. Joey Bada$$),” as well as the ARIA-certified gold “Youth” and RIAA-certified platinum “Gooey.”

While the project is helmed & produced by Dave Bayley, his band is backed with childhood friends that are integral to their iconic dance-oriented live remixes.

Prior to the release of lead single “Tokyo Drifting (feat. Denzel Curry)” in November 2019, the band remained relatively inactive after canceling 2018 tour dates due to drummer Joe Seaward’s serious injuries from a lorry accident.

Anticipation for Dreamland, thus, has been growing since its conception: subsequent singles including the percussive party banger “Your Love (Déjà Vu)” & chill, tropical vibes of “Heat Waves” peaked in the top 10 on Billboard alternative & rock charts respectively.

Dreamland was initially slated for release on July 10th but was postponed with intentions of keeping focus on the global Black Lives Matter movement.

“All eyes and minds needed to be focused on civil rights and understanding how to defeat prejudice, and we made the decision to pause our album release plan indefinitely.” — Glass Animals

Although the album totals in sixteen tracks, it is parsed with various skits / interludes in the uniform nomenclature “((home movie: )).”

The record is overall homogenous in musical approach with its consistently dreamy & summery textures; however, there is creative diversity to be found – as with any Glass Animals record.

“Tangerine” bounces along its twinkly, back-beat synth patterns whereas the mellow & melodic tune “Hot Sugar” serves as a relaxed, poolside jam musically reminiscent of their former single “Season 2 Episode 3.”

Many other songs throughout the album are stitched together thematically with hip-hop, trance, and pop beats as well as lyrics ruminating on thoughts, feelings, and relationships within Bayley’s personal mindscape.

In harmony with the album’s title, tracks such as “Melon and the Coconut” or closer “Helium” float along like auto-tune drenched lullabies.

Like the complex layers of instrumentation & production on each track, the lyrics often have ulterior meanings – “Helium” most solemnly masquerading existentialism with musings perhaps externally appearing about a young relationship.

Dreamland is sure to stay in our rotation as we continue to dissect the complex sounds and meanings of the latest Glass Animals record. Enjoy the new project below!