Setting the tone with a vocal sample detail and electric guitar, which explodes into an alternative rock hybrid soundscape, we are already mesmerized by Mothman, The Man‘s new release, The Mothman EP.
On the opening track, comedically and cerebrally named, Scott Pilgrim Type Beat, Connor Childs, who is the lead singer, delivers the line “tell me something I don’t know” with passion and vigour, fused with a lo-fi garage rock soundscape created with his bandmates.
The band is comprised of Connor, who is Mothman, on vocals and guitar, along with Billy Mattock on drums and flugal horn, Finley Kelly on guitar, and Billy Tucker on bass and production.
The second track is Formaldehyde reminds us of early Smashing Pumpkins in frequency, with elements of stadium friendly rock and roll as Connor sings assertively and poignantly “and I see you when you die, with your finger to the sky…”
Next up is Do You Hear The Sounds? which starts with layered vocals, continuing the story from the previous song but lending itself to a more playful dimension and the concept of “living symbiotically”. The song has an epic instrumental section which invigorates us and delivers amplified emotion. The song also comes with an animated music video created by Rhianna Berthoud.
Optimistic Fuzz takes us on a more transcendental journey with a more psychedelic sonic landscape as the band sings about oneness. Headlights gives us bold rock and roll energy with epic drum work reminding us of Metallica, whilst on Concept Of Time, the band sings about the more surrealist nature of reality, instilling their wisdom thought their conceptual lyricism.
Finally Mothman, Pts 1 & 2 opens with a more stripped back acoustic energy as Connor sings evocatively and vulnerably, “it’s difficult to learn to count on myself, but your lack of consistency doesn’t help…” The song takes a turn with the flugal horn, to expand into an almost ska-punk vibe with high energy to conclude the record.
Speaking on the record as a whole, Connor says, “The entire ethos behind this album was about breaking out of the shell of my COVID affected shell.”
“The entire message of the album at the end of the day is to be comfortable in your skin and accept and respect all your flaws and work on them however you can. It was a way to get my own feelings recorded”, expands the visionary.
When discussing influences, the band cites Neutral Milk Hotel, The Microphones, Pavement, Ty Segall, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and black midi, but it is clear that they are creating a universe of their own!
We have added Do You Hear The Sounds? to our New Music Spotlight playlist and have been exploring the band’s wider discography including The End. and Computer Brain.