Mutemath - Play Dead

Mutemath
Play Dead
2017
Spotify

I've followed Mutemath for what seems like forever. I knew them before the name was one word, in their early days when their frantic form of rock evoked Muse and other stadium filling acts. It felt like Mutemath were the next big thing, and in some ways it still does even if the rest of the world just refuses to get on board. This new record, Play Dead, is the first without perhaps their best member drummer Darren King and the first since a highly successful tour with Twenty-One Pilots. Mutemath have always had a deep fanbase, and their music has always been super solid but crossover fame seems to always have avoided them. Their sound is so unique to them filled with tons of melancholy melodies, pent up rage and cathartic releases. The first few tracks will be welcome to the Mutemath faithful as the hang somewhat close to some of the band original work. The real shift in the record comes with "Break the Fever" which is really quite new for Mutemath and has a really excellent dance beat. Its a disco beat that almost perfectly uses the genre as a boost to Mutemath's already great instrumentation. Mutemath have always kept themselves nimble able to shift their sound depending on which way the wind was blowing but never losing that post-rock force that drives them. "Placed On Hold" is one track where you can really sense the loss of Darren King. The drums pound and pound as the song reaches it's climax, but it is missing that special something that he would always bring.

The songs that groove a little harder like "Break the Fever" and "Everything's New" are the ones that really connect. It is nice to hear a bit more of pop sound to Mutemath even as they age. They are still out her seeking and grinding away creating art that still matters. It is the diversity of the record and the willingness to do something new that really makes it stand out. Some of the tracks are not as successful as others like "War", but they all have interesting elements that could possibly turn into something great. "Achilles Heel" is another one of those tracks that has some interesting ideas but doesn't really work for so reason. Play Dead however really is some of Mutemath's best work in sometime and though minus a key member the remaining bandmates have infused new life into a band that had become a bit stagnant over the years. Play Dead is not going to get played on your local top 40 radio station anytime soon, but it seems like Mutemath have a new fire and a renewed passion for their music. ONly time will tell where this new direction will lead.

7.9 out of 10