ALBUM REVIEW: World Below – Baby Strange
Glaswegian trio BABY STRANGE are darkly mesmerizing on their second album World Below. The pandemic hit us hard and that includes this band but it turns out that was just the kind of inspiration they needed to write and record World Below. It perfectly captures a lot of the feelings many of us felt in that dark time and it can be perfectly heard on this latest offering.
The title-track World Below opens the record with harsh sounding guitars and baritone vocals. It’s not a cheery song, which is what the band seemed to be aiming for with the whole album. It really soars in the chorus as the drums give it a faster-paced feel and the vocals rise effortlessly. The end of the song blends perfectly into Beating In Time which is more fast-paced and has more of a dance feeling to it. It has a catchy little guitar riff that it sticks to and the vocals are more upbeat. It still sounds a little frantic however which just adds to the overall sound of the song as it gives it more character and feels more like we all did in mid-2020.
Under The Surface follows and seems to be more about the strain on relationships which we all felt. It again has that frantic feeling that comes and suddenly goes which is really effective on this track. The vocals in the verses are short and they feel hurried but really drive the song in the chorus. The solo is great as well as it showcases the talent of Johnny Madden on guitar and vocals with fast complex playing.
Lead single Only Feel It When I’m With You has a slower tempo and sounds a lot more atmospheric than much of the rest of the album. The vocals however feel a lot more direct and controlled. It also features vocals from Hayley Mary from Australian indie rockers THE JEZABELS, whose input really elevates this track. It’s somewhat new territory for the band as it is definitely not their signature sound but still works just as well. It results in a daring and beautiful track and it really stands out.
When It Calls feels reminiscent of the 80s alternative scene with the use of the keys and synth which is actually really cool to see bands using today. The effects on the guitar are perfect as well for the chorus in this track. The vocals are not over-complicated either. It’s very much just one tone throughout which is really well done in this song as it grabs you and it doesn’t get boring. Higher sounds a bit bigger than the rest of the album. It feels more theatrical but it’s also got that darker feel that BABY STRANGE seem to be going for. It’s unclear whether the lyrics are about having a good time or drug abuse but to be honest the ambiguity elevates this track more as it’s open to interpretation.
Second to last track I Feel So Cold But It’s Warm Outside is very hectic and this is reflected in the lyrics. It feels claustrophobic but not in a bad way. It’s again quite dark and it sounds very hopeless. The lyrics are very much the same tone throughout which keeps the verses and the chorus very driven and they grow into pure shouting throughout the track, further enforcing that idea of hopelessness. Midnight closes the album and this track is very similar to a lot of the early tracks on the album, almost bringing it full circle. The guitar parts in this one are really punchy and hit hard and feel right at home. The song ends on a pretty dismal lyric, concluding the whole experience on a more sombre note.
BABY STRANGE have really tried to immerse the listener in World Below, and they’ve done this with clever songwriting and world-building whilst keeping it catchy and still with meaning. They tackle day-to-day topics whilst also giving a feeling of being trapped in their own heads. This is a very layered album and one of the many reasons it’s so great.
Rating: 7/10
World Below is set for release on June 17th via Icons Creating Evil Art.
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