Super Massive’s latest opus, Caught In A Web, is a multi-dimensional experience that captures the celestial harmony of connection and entrapment in the digital age. From the intricate sound design to its poetic lyrical depth, the track exemplifies what modern electro-pop can achieve when infused with philosophical substance and masterful instrumentation.
Described as a “beachy, summery banger,” Caught In A Web feels like a sonic postcard from a parallel dimension. The song opens with a whisper – a siren-like invitation to surrender, setting the tone for a track that intertwines seduction and danger. The electro-surf rock chorus pulses with energy reminiscent of stadium-filling anthems, where layers of synthscapes and vibrant beats collide in an almost tactile wave. You can imagine this track performed live, its iconic drop reverberating through a sea of bodies swaying to its relentless rhythm.
The production is a masterclass in balance. Glenn Abbott’s drumming, both live and electronic, creates a visceral undercurrent, grounding the ethereal vocals of Malina Hamilton-Smith. The pairing is magnetic: Abbott’s instrumentation offers the track its raw, organic edge, while Hamilton-Smith’s performance floats above it, weaving a spell of allure and intrigue.
At its core, Caught In A Web is a digital-age fable. The lyrics, penned by Malina Hamilton-Smith, explore themes of connection and manipulation, capturing the zeitgeist of our era where real and virtual lives have fused. “Somehow we are all connected, tied to each other by invisible thread…” is a multifaceted metaphor. On one level, it speaks to the intricate networks of the web, both digital and emotional, that bind us. On another, it warns of the subterfuge lurking within those connections. Words become traps, streams of information are ambushes, and the web, though alluring, is ultimately inescapable.
“Words are the traps and we lay them out there, broadcasting thoughts in steady streams…”, reflects the paradox of modern communication. What we willingly share can ensnare us, transforming connection into vulnerability. The imagery of spies marauding dreams suggests an erosion of privacy in the age of surveillance capitalism, a theme that resonates deeply in our hyperconnected world.
The production, handled by the duo themselves, is elevated further by Daniel Denholm’s mixing and Michael Lynch’s mastering. Denholm’s touch, refined across decades of working with luminaries like Sia and Midnight Oil, imbues the track with immaculate clarity and punch. Lynch’s mastering ensures every beat, bassline, and vocal nuance hits with precision, creating a track that feels as vast as it is intimate.
The drop, described as “the size of a pumping Kirra barrel,” is a high-energy climax that completely flips traditional EDM/dance expectations. The juxtaposition of squelching cyber-injected synths with live percussion is audacious, merging organic and synthetic in a way that feels revolutionary. Fans of Scissor Sisters will recognize the flamboyant playfulness and bold genre-bending that Super Massive bring to the table.
Having already established itself as a hit in Super Massive’s live performances, Caught In A Web possesses the rare quality of being both danceable and thought-provoking. You can picture it as a centerpiece in their setlist, an undeniable crowd-pleaser that gets festival-goers on their feet while also making them reflect on the invisible strings that tie us all together.
Super Massive have crafted a track that feels timeless and immediate. Caught In A Web is a celestial triumph that dances between the familiar and the futuristic, weaving intricate soundscapes with lyrics that challenge and inspire. Its stadium-filling energy, poetic prowess, and masterful instrumentation mark it as an enduring anthem for the digital age. Whether you’re surrendering to its hypnotic groove on a dance floor or contemplating its deeper meanings on a quiet evening, Caught In A Web is a song that ensnares and never lets go.
We have added Caught In A Web to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TRIPPY and TIMELESS playlists, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Super Massive, and anticipate future releases from the visionary pair.