Glass Animals, the U.K. indie-pop band, is taking the concept album to a whole new level with their forthcoming release, How To Be A Human Being. This album unfolds like a captivating TV miniseries, revealing its story one chapter at a time. But it’s not just the music that tells the story; the band has gone above and beyond to create a visual experience that complements each track.
A Technicolor Portrait
The album’s cover art is a Technicolor portrait featuring 11 characters. These characters, including a basketball player, a boy on a tricycle, and a man in a speedo, come alive not only in the artwork but also in the music videos. Each video adds a layer of depth to the overarching storyline. It all begins with the captivating “Life Itself” and continues to unravel in the latest release, “Youth.”
Melancholy and Mystery
The music video for “Youth” starts where the previous clip left off. The boy, having escaped a hostage situation, is seen walking down a dusty road. Meanwhile, the waitress, who appears to be the boy’s mother, desperately searches for him, always a few steps behind. The video’s aesthetic, with its dramatic slow-motion shots and alternating focus on the characters, perfectly matches the song’s melancholic and mournful tone.
The track itself is a blend of perky, high-pitched synths and rich R&B drums, creating a gloomy lullaby. Frontman Dave Bayley’s woeful vocals convey a sense of tragedy, as he sings, “You were clearly meant for more. You’ll be happy all the time, I know you can make it right.” The song captures that bittersweet feeling of nostalgia and the complex mix of emotions that surround it.
The Power of Interpretation
The storyline of Glass Animals’ album has already sparked speculation and discussion on platforms like Reddit and YouTube. However, Bayley intentionally leaves room for individual interpretations. He believes that allowing listeners to make their own connections and meanings is far more interesting than providing a definitive explanation.
Creating an Immersive World
To maintain visual cohesion throughout the project, Bayley enlisted the talents of photographer Neil Krug for the music videos and cover art. The goal was to create a unified and immersive world that extends beyond the album itself. Bayley even hints at the possibility of a tie-in with the band’s live stage show, emphasizing the importance of everything fitting together seamlessly.
Relatable Stories
While Glass Animals’ debut album, Zaba, featured abstract lyrics that formed a stream-of-consciousness narrative, How To Be A Human Being takes a different approach. Inspired by real stories that the band encountered during their last two years on tour, the album’s songs delve into more specific storylines. “Youth,” for example, explores nostalgia and the complex blend of happiness and sadness that surrounds it. The track is sung from a parent’s perspective, drawing inspiration from a devastating story Bayley heard from a stranger about her son.
“It was one of the saddest things I’d ever heard,” Bayley recalls, “but despite her pain, there was a glimmer of optimism and calm in her face. It was as if she had found a way to be happy again.”
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Conclusion
Glass Animals’ upcoming album, How To Be A Human Being, is not just a collection of songs; it’s a captivating journey through visual storytelling and emotional melodies. With each track and accompanying video, the band immerses listeners in a world of mystery, nostalgia, and relatable stories. So mark your calendars for August 26th, when this extraordinary musical experience will be unveiled.
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