OF MONSTERS AND MEN

Powerful pop folk music. Acoustic guitars adorned with vibrant drums. Beautiful Icelandic accents. Catchy tunes aplenty. Who else could it be but Of Monsters And Men? Their new album 'Beneath The Skin' delivers more of the same beautiful kinds of songs we sampled on their debut album 'My Head Is An Animal' - this time, delivering light and shade amidst their lively lyrics.

The quality of tracks throughout the album is consistently high, with catchy hooks and memorable melodies from the opening track the very last tune. Each song is a carefully constructed anthem, packed with energy and emotion, a raw sound yet a polished finish.

First single 'Crystals' kicks off the album, with a familiar OMAM sound, that boisterous drumbeat accompanying uplifting lyrics delivered by the stunningly complimentary singers Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson. While still upbeat, track 'Human' brings out the darker, wilder side of the band, as they croon, "Cage me like an animal / A crown with gems and gold / Eat me like a cannibal / Chasing me, I'm thrown."

OF MONSTERS AND MEN - CRYSTALS

One of the more compelling tracks is 'Wolves Without Teeth', a track laden with dark undertones. Sparse verses driven onward by drums give way to vibrant choruses with an animalistic quality; the band consistently uses nature to reflect the flawed qualities of humanity. 'Empire' is a slow-builder; with such an unassuming intro, you'd be well forgiven to assume it would continue the same, yet the song becomes a raucous powerhouse by the time the chorus comes around.

If you're familiar with the work of Of Monsters And Men - and enjoy their sound - you won't be disappointed by 'Beneath The Skin'. This is indie folk pop at its very best - carefully constructed, yet intensely executed. Whether as background music, or tunes to sing out loud to, let the beauty and potency get under your skin.

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