“The Dream,” by Alt-J: Album Review

Just FYI: I’m going to start doing things a little differently here than I have in my past few reviews. Trying to figure out how to be entertaining and funny sometimes in a way that doesn’t get too repetitive. So I’d love some feedback if my blog reaches anyone. I am quite confident in myself as a writer, so you can’t offend me. Tell me if you love it, tell me if you think I suck. All of it is potentially valuable information until I decide if I’m above it or not. ANYWHO,

Good evening you sad sick little beetles. I have returned from the great walls of imposter syndrome with great news. One of the best fucking bands ever, ALT FUCKING J have returned after five long years with a follow up to “Reduxer.” You have arrived at THE LOCAL EMBRACE and this is my review of English psychedelic band Alt-J’s fourth album, “The Dream,” released on February 4th in this fateful year 2022.

1. How did you discover the great and mighty Alt-J?

I remember very specifically, the night that my best friend showed me Alt-J. It was after yet another boring sober day, except there was a swimming pool so that was okay. It was the weekend before I was to have a pretty major surgery. My friend who we call Victini here on my blog, showed me the video for the song “Fitzpleasure.” I was deeply touched by the dark aesthetic and the badassery of the instrumental, on top of the singer’s unique voice. The following year, their first album became one of the first CD’s I ever owned. I hardly ever hear anyone talk about them but I’ve never stopped loving them. They’ve got such an authentic sound to them.

2. How good are the lyrics??

This album is lyrically quite a step in a different direction for Alt-J. In the past I’ve gotten more of a mystical vibe from them, or dare I say it, trippy. I get the impression that the members of Alt-J probably have experiences and thoughts far beyond the realm of whatever is considered normal, which is great! But “The Dream,” is more down to Earth. These recordings right here are more insight into who Alt-J’s members are as people, and the subject matter holds true the direction the world’s going in, perhaps the feelings of the collective. However their presentation is more upbeat and lighthearted than we’ve ever seen them in the past. I wouldn’t say these lyrics are bad by any means, but taking the consideration of the entire formula into account, they are weaker than everything else.

3. How good are the instrumentals???

On the other hand, the playing of the instruments on the album is truly impeccable. They’ve got a great variety of things! Hypnotic pianos and synths galore, their fucking rad tripping naked in the desert, dancing around a mighty bonfire guitar style that makes me disgustingly nostalgic for home. Alt-J knows how to get a bitch dancing, how to compose shit that is legitimately technically interesting and unique, they know how to put millions in a psychedelic trance. “The Dream,” is not their best album by any means but it’s definitely more than enough to keep me having faith in them.

4. How good are the vocals????

I’m gonna use real names here because some people deserve recognition. I’m not aware of any ugly allegations against Alt-J so I hope this is okay lol. The main vocalist of Alt-J, Joe Newman has always and probably will always sing like a fucking mystical being. It’s no different on “The Dream.” I got into folk punk at a young age so I can’t help but admire a unique voice over someone you can compare to a million other singers. Off the top of my head he kind of reminds me of Ellie Goulding but that’s it. Joe Newman’s voice is a treasure. It’s super authentic, intimate, raspy, quiet and sweet, but also loud and confident. It almost doesn’t sound human to me, like he channels some beautiful otherworldly being through his throat when he sings. Additionally I find all the harmonies on this album to be very beautiful. Everyone in this band kills it!

5. How good is the production?????

Alt-J can afford pretty high quality shit. They get millions of plays every day on multiple streaming services. So there’s definitely no problems here. They deserve it though like they have very few songs that I don’t like.

6. How is the length??????? Too long?????? Too short??????

This is one of the places I feel like Alt-J could improve, I mean if you’re trippin on something any Alt-J song is always perfect, but I feel like at times their true charm is lost along the way if something goes on for too long. Since “An Awesome Wave,” their songs have tended to get longer and longer. Sometimes it’s great, sometimes it’s not.

7. How cohesive is this album???????

“The Dream,” despite adding so many new elements to the Alt-J formula, manages to hold onto a small collection of different vibes that weave around each other and carry us through its journey.

8. How diverse is this album????????

I always love to see bands take risks and try new things. Alt-J has proven themselves time and time again, never stopping to do just that. They diversify a little bit with what I would describe as a 60’s Beach Boys/The Beatles type vibe on a few songs, adding some really great string arrangements here and there as well. Also got some really great flute shit here as well!

9. How accessible is “The Dream,” by Alt J??????????

As they’ve always had the tendency to be unique, I actually feel that this album could reach an entire new fanbase for Alt-J while at the same time still appealing to most of the fans whose hearts they’ve already won. With how everything is presented, “The Dream,” has a huge nostalgia factor, and enough diversity to appeal to several different types of music listeners from fans of indie rock and psychedelic to fans of folk and indie pop and maybe even r&b. It really makes me look forward to whatever they’re gonna do next while I continue to enjoy the four great albums they already have at this point. That’s one of the things that really keeps me getting out of bed in the morning is the fact that there are so many good bands and singers still releasing incredible music to this day. SO FUCKING MANY! THOUSANDS! If you think I’m bullshitting you, I humbly recommend you open your mind and look harder. Music is a human experience and everyone should enjoy it and have more respect for the creative process and those who subject themselves to it. Music/pretending that horrible things weren’t actually happening is how I got through all my darkest days. So yeah!

10. Did this album hold my attention??????????

It took me a while, but I’ve listened to it enough at this point to have more of a capacity to immerse myself in the experience. Sometimes you gotta give something several chances for it to click in your brain. From a musical perspective it’s worth it.

11. What story does this album tell from the almighty perspective of you, BoJack?????????

I really don’t know how conceptual Alt-J tend to be. I have a feeling this is a concept album but it totally couldn’t be. I kind of see the story of an actor trying to make it in the business, struggling with it, on top of struggling with drugs, relationship issues, and toxic tendencies.

12. What are the five best songs on “The Dream,” by Alt-J?

5: Track #5: The Actor

This song is an honest ode to the struggles of being an actor in the way I was describing before. Continually, it’s also one of the most interesting songs on the album. Complete with super good synth, spiraling flutes, flowing harmonies, and sunset violins, it’s one of those that holds my attention all the way through, headbanging and getting all white girl hwasted and shit.

4. Track #7: Chicago

I feel like a lot of albums have standout tracks, which I call gems. Chicago is the gem of “The Dream.” It starts soft, goes into this crazy transition and becomes ritualistic as fuck. Then it changes again later. It’s super spooky, got some cool pizzicatto with some pretty epic bass. I think there’s a little sitar transitions that feels like trying to get out of a coffin or something. Supah trippy.

3. Track #12: Powders

The impression I get from this one is celebration of new love or something like that. The guitar is super smooth jazzy-like and intimate, soloey. I love it. I think this is a great, super chill closing to the album. This is one of those that could be a bit shorter but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the best.

2. Track #9: Walk A Mile

I love this song for the message I interpret from it most. It’s a celebration of understanding, also one of the longer ones so it definitely goes through several vibes, starting with some 60’s harmonies and transitioning into that sweet acid groove type of vibe. I can practically see the geometric figures dancing on the walls as I listen. I might just be really stoned though.

1. Track #1: Bane

Apparently this song is about a dream that one of the band members had or something. But if I didn’t know that I’d say it’s something about drinking demon juice or some shit. Similar to dumb bitch juice but like demons instead? I don’t fucking know. Anywho, I gotta say it’s real smart that this song begins the super dope journey that is “The Dream.” This song is fun, interesting, bold, badass, so many different things happen with different instruments throughout but it’s definitely more on the cohesive side of songs on this album. My fave bitch!

13. What are some of the best lyrics?????????????

From Track #4: Happier When You’re Gone:: “Homelessness at home. My life is bracing for your hug. You pass me to unplug your phone.”

From Track #6: Get Better:: “This nighttime under sodium light, The orange spread is soul quieting. A younger you and a younger me, meeting at the serpentine.”

From Track #8: Philadelphia:: “Oh, the cadence of the glow. Percussive flashes over dimly lit country. Good God, I feel your hands on me.”

From Track #9: Walk A Mile:: “At last, my baby’s walked a mile in my shoes.”

14. What are 13 previously released albums that “The Dream,” by Alt J is for fans of??????????????

1. On Avery Island by Neutral Milk Hotel (1996)
2. The Cinnamon Phase by Black Bear (2006)
3. Ghost by Radical Face (2007)
4. Pretty. Odd. by Panic! At The Disco (2008)
5. Bon Iver by Bon Iver (2011)
6. Halcyon by Ellie Goulding (2012)
7. Home by Young Jesus (2012)
8. Dark As Night by Nahko And Medicine For The People (2013)
9. Melophobia by Cage The Elephant (2013)
10. The 1st by Willow Smith (2017)
11. Good Nature by Turnover (2017)
12. Brighter Later by Head Portals (2018)
13. Solar Power by Lorde (2021)

15. Is this album better or worse than it’s predecessor???????????????

Definitely. “The Dream,” is not Alt J’s best. But “Reduxer,” is definitely their worst.

16. Will this album hold up over time????????????????

I wouldn’t be surprised if I continue to listen to at least half the songs on this album on occasion forever.

17. Does this album remind you of anything?????????????????

Several songs of this album remind me of tripping on acid. I can see the color patterns and the walls oozing and feel the hysterical laughter and the tingly feet feeling in a way. Maybe it’s just a flashback?

I’m scoring a bit differently from now on. Still using the metaphorical erect penis because it’s hilarious to type stuff about penises knowing that other people are gonna see this and waste their energy judging me like pussy ass little bitches. So out of the things I write about here that it’s logical to judge, “The Dream,” by Alt J gets a 9.5 erect penises out of 14 erect penises. So one of em is definitely a little fucked up but it’ll live.

Stay tuned for more neutral chaos. When I decide to write again, it’ll be on behalf of Irish post rock/math rock Gods, And So I Watch You From Afar, and their new album “Jettison.”