- The Internet are set to release their fourth album, Hive Mind. Since their last album, Ego Death, the band's individual members have been busy, dropping solo releases and providing production for others. Each member is accomplished in their own right. This isn’t a hindrance though. As a band, they’re a cohesive unit – that album title, Hive Mind, seems more appropriate the more I listen.
From the get-go The Internet lay down what they’re know for: tight musicianship, expert arrangements and sultry, simple grooves. A fair chunk of this album slaps. Beat Goes On is a favourite, with its deft drumming and rather weird groove and a beautiful outro that has drums so fast it goes into breaks-y territory. Roll (Burbank Funk) is a disco stomper with infections drums, bass, singing and electric piano. La Di Das has a suave, syncopated groove that ends with an amazing bridge. Album closer Hold On diverges from much of what's come before, being largely drumless with synth-pop overtones. It’s a totally apt way to end the work, and sits nicely amongst the album other downtempo jams.
A lot of the songs end with filter sweeps that I enjoy (for whatever reason). It gives it a housey feel in spite of the live instrumentation. Their sound is indebted to the funkier end of the Neptunes/Pharrell spectrum. That being said they have taken it further and made it their own, their individual talents forming something even greater than the sum of its parts; there's that Hive Mind again.
According to Syd, “After making a few songs we realised that we really want to use this album to live by example and promote camaraderie amongst young black people... We realised that we’re the only band of our kind; and we want to really solidify ourselves as that, as the best.” I tend to agree. A good portion of these songs comprise three crucial elements – vocals, bass and rhythm. Motown set this president, and the best soul since exhibits this in spades. The Internet carries the torch, proving that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, especially for compelling pop music.
- Hillfolk.