ALBUM REVIEW: Feeling Not Found – Origami Angel

Rock duo ORIGAMI ANGEL are back with their third studio album Feeling Not Found. The record itself is, based on its title, about “an emotional and spiritual 404 error” one might experience when trying to reconnect and understand the emotions of simply being human. And as we explore the album and navigate this confusing journey, we find that things are never straightforward and can easily switch between opposing thoughts and feelings.

Opening the record is the intro track Lost Signal, which, if going in blind, can leave you with the first impression that this will be a rather calming listening experience. The first things the listener hears are soft, rising synths accompanied by gentle vocals that seemingly narrate the story and meaning behind not just the album concept but also the band’s name. As things progress, the band introduce more experimental effects on sounds and voices, a little reminiscent of ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA, as things shift into loud feedback that kicks off into something loud and chaotic and blends into following song Dirty Mirror Selfie. As the listener soon discovers, this is the real introduction and summary for what we’re about experience on the record.

What ORIGAMI ANGEL are good at is being able to seamlessly blend and go between different styles where at one moment everything is pretty and melodic, the next it’s gnarly and heavy. And you just don’t know what will happen next. What is guaranteed is a selection of anthemic choruses interspersed with heavier breakdowns that feel both unique and nostalgic, not so much in the way of it sounds like another artist, but in that it reminds you of a simpler time.

Each song has its own unique highlights, whether it’s the vocals and melodies that, without the heavier guitar riffs or breakdowns, could very easily have been a summer pop song, as heard on Underneath My Skin; or the ability to leave you emotional one moment and smiling and wanting to sing along the next, as is the case on AP Revisionist History; or a moody composition that leaves you swaying along as you contemplate life, like Higher Road. It’s all concluded with the title track itself, which nicely summarises the themes explored and leaves you with the reminder in that you can only be yourself, regardless of what others might do or say.

Feeling Not Found is a solid record for when you’re in the mood for pondering, but want to smile and dance, and potentially scream, along the way.

Rating: 9/10

Feeling Not Found is set for release on September 27th via Counter Intuitive Records.

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