The Humans’ new 13-track album, Sugar Rush, is experimental, edgy in the simplest of ways, and nothing you can ready yourself for. It’s the musical equivalent of a drive through a part of town you’ve never seen, and just when you think you’ve got the area figured out, you pass a sign welcoming you to the nearby town with restaurants of a different vibe, and even the sky looks a bit different. But don’t consider driving back now, because you’re on a one-way and the scenery stays intriguing.
The opening track “Titanium Girl”, is gritty, with even grittier lyrics. Things slow down a bit on the second track, and steadily picks back up through “Sea of Size”. A lot of the album has a deep, almost dark feel with primal drums that are never too complicated, and grungy guitars, with unforgiving vocals. But then the listener meets a track like “Put a Woman On the Moon”, which features fast synth sounds, sounding like the soundtrack to a sci-fi movie about robots and space.
Other than this, Sugar Rush is a constant shifting of dark grunge and slower-paced haunts between tracks. Toyah Willcox’s distinctive voice glides along each track in a majestic manner, while the album is carried by a consistent, prominent bass. These may be the only constants to the album, as each track has its own individual tone, and they all maintain that tone from the start of the track to finish–like chapters in a textbook, each has its unique role.
Sugar Rush has hints of a psychedelic sound with a grungy heart. There is enough experimentation to keep things feeling alive and never stagnant, but The Humans never overdo any of it.
Final Words: A hybrid of haunting and sweet, this album intrigues from start to finish.
I’m going to see The Humans this Tuesday at the Highline Ballroom in NYC…very exciting!