ALBUM REVIEW: Where the Mind Wants to Go / Where You Let it Go – I The Mighty

Formed in 2008, Californian alt-rockers I THE MIGHTY have been growing their reputation and repertoire gradually, whilst touring extensively and supporting the likes of COHEED AND CAMBRIA, ENTER SHIKARI, and an upcoming tour with HAIL THE SUN. Over the years, they have pushed themselves, developing their sound, and are now releasing their new album Where the Mind Wants to Go / Where You Let it Go via Rude Records.

Their music has moved to the slightly lighter side of the spectrum, with fewer screams, and gentler guitars, a move that may disappoint some old fans, but one that certainly resonates with others and is expanding their fan base. Where the Mind Wants to Go / Where You Let it Go opens with Degenerates, the slowest song on the album and the furthest from their original sound. Brent Walsh has calming, honest, and entirely clean vocals, discussing the downfalls of humans. The song has a slow and soft introduction with a slightly faster chorus.

Chaos In Motion has an accompanying music video which will be difficult for many people to watch as it plays on the frustrations of everyday life, for example, a cake not being cut straight, and a brand new pair of shiny white shoes getting muddy. The song is far from chaotic, but carefully written with every word and note penned to perfection, for example “Anarchy is a friend I’ve grown to become close with”. It is quite a poppy track, would work great on the radio, which perhaps is the intent being a single.

As the name suggests, Where The Mind Wants To Go is a reflection on daydreams, and where thought processes go when not distracted by the everyday. It is a more energetic song with very honest lyrics, about the breakdown of a relationship and coming to terms with that reality. It’s the kind of raw honesty that can be very hard to grasp, and will probably be very relatable for a lot of people. The vocals transition into a shouty section which reflects the angst and struggles going on in the lyrics, whilst also reflecting on I THE MIGHTY‘s roots.

There are no fillers on Where the Mind Wants to Go / Where You Let it Go, nearly all of the eleven songs could have been singles. The first single released was Silver Tongues that includes special guest Tilian Pearson from DANCE GAVIN DANCE with whom they’ve toured in the past. There are aspects of their sound which is unexpected, the beat here and the guitar there which adds to the discomfort described in the lyrics. This album really is a therapy where every emotion, thought, and feeling has been laid out flat and sorted into songs. The album draws to a close on Where You Let It Go, a soulful ending that gently ends up the emotional journey listeners have been on of uncertainty “I’m not even sure what I’m on about” and love driven declarations “I will love you even if we’re just energy out in the universe”. It has a chorus of voices in the background that gives the track a very full and rounded feeling; unfortunately it is lyrically repetitious making one of the weaker songs on the album, and perhaps the wrong one to bring such a dramatic story to a close. It is a whimper, not the bang that you might expect.

I THE MIGHTY have produced a solid album, that explores all the hard emotions of humanity whilst showcasing all their talents at song writing. It has raw, honest lyrics about life, emotions, and the flaws of individuals that might just give you goose-bumps, coupled with catchy guitar riffs. I THE MIGHTY have mastered making slow verses that build up towards a faster, climatic chorus which are triumphant in contrast to the often sad and bare-faced verses.

Rating: 8/10

Where the Mind Wants to Go / Where You Let it Go is out now via Rude Records.

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