Of Monsters and Men
Beneath The Skin
Reviewed by: Shannon Fox
The Icelandic quintet that is Of Monsters and Men is out to prove that they are here to stay with the release of their sophomore album Beneath The Skin. Flashback to 2011 when the group hit the Indie-alterative scene by storm having their debut album My Head Is An Animal climb to the top of the Billboard Top 200 and even going on to sell over 2 million copies worldwide.
It’s now 2015 and there is much anticipation as fans wait to see if this new release will propel them back on top or simply push them into the pit that is the sophomore slump.
The album opens up appropriately with their single “Crystals”. This track keeps the organic upbeat sound similar to the last album and is accompanied by the mellifluous voice of front woman Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir. “Cover your crystal eyes, And feel the tones that tremble down your spine,” is the catchy chorus repeats itself through track.
“Black Water” is the eighth track and presents itself with a more soft sound that is reoccurring through out the album. It is clear that Of Monsters and Men replaced the “Heys” and “Hos” chanting with more honest lyrics and a more soothing sound.
The deluxe copy of Beneath the Skin also offers four bonus tracks including “Black Water (Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear Remix)” and “I of the Storm (Alex Somers Remix)”. This remixes gave an eerie kind of twist on to of the original tracks available on the standard release of the album.
Will Beneath the Skin make the cut? Only time will tell.
Rating: Bad-Ass
