MUTEMATH – Vitals

By Ryan G

Does anyone remember a skit from Nickelodeon’s All That called “Vital Information For Your Everyday Life”? That’s what I think of when I see the word “vital.” 90s culture for the win.

One goofy anecdote from Lori Beth Denberg, with a modern twist, might be “It’s good to listen to music that shares a title with your childhood TV favorites.”

In all seriousness, though, MUTEMATH have crafted quite a memorable album with Vitals. Critics will call this album a poppy response to Tame Impala’s Currents. To that I say, “so what if it is?” It’s not a rip off of anything. People are influenced by their culture at the time. Music need not be contrary to culture to be quality.

Vitals, if you’ve been living under a rock, is MUTEMATH’s fourth full length, an unashamedly electropop record. The blues influence on Odd Soul is all but completely gone. The upbeat tracks are all cheery and synth driven. Even though I mentioned a Tame Impala influence earlier, I have to say I hear some Daft Punk in songs like “Joy Rides” and “Best of Intentions” as well. The mellower tracks are in line with the band has composed in albums past. “Remain” and “All I See” are respective masterpieces that move me to a place of quiet contemplation. The album also features two instrumentals; “Vitals” and “Bulletproof.” I could see the latter being worked into the band’s live set as a climatic, drawn out jam session in the style of “Break the Same” and “Quarantine.” MUTEMATH, if you’re reading this, please do this!

In spite of the album being biased toward cheery melodies, Vitals is vulnerable. One need look no further than “Used To” to see this. The progression of the melody skyward in the chorus is seemingly contrary to what is being communicated:

“I used to feel alive

I used to want to

I used to be all right

I used to love you.”

That’s pretty bleak. At least the song concludes on somewhat of a high note with the acknowledgement that it’s probably “for the better.” Happily, Paul Meany is married in real life and I doubt this song is referring to his present situation!

“Light Up,” one of my personal favorite tracks, is an anthem of resilience and perseverance in a relationship that matters. “Don’t say enough, we’re not out of love,” the protagonist of the song pleads, “…I still light up for you.”

MUTEMATH has crafted a record that will fit neatly in with the rest of their discography. They have yet to disappoint this superfan, and I daresay it would quite a feat for them to do so.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/230665640″ /]

Score: 4.9/5

MUTEMATH: Facebook | iTunes

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