The Internet - Hive Mind

The song "Mood" from The Internet's Hive Mind describes the alt-R&B group well: the groove is stylishly syncopated but with a spaced-out vibe, repeating the same feel and lilting lyrical patterns until the listener is hypnotized; then, all of the sudden, the chorus-worthy hook appears at the end, shifting the song-structure out of focus until we get lost in the loose jam of the song. These subtle outside-the-box song approaches helped make Ego Death (2015) the masterpiece that it is, even if this release does not quite meet that mark. The similar but even more relaxed feel of Hive Mind works well overall, but the album is elevated immensely by the ever-improving vocals of Syd Barrett. She once again demonstrates herself as the gentle and intimate focal point of The Internet, with an understated passion that is both seductive and sweet (particular standout is "Look What U Started"). 

The album, while certainly laid-back, is not boring, as evidenced in the above tracks as well as the more distinguishable "Roll (Burbank Funk)", which is propelled by a powerful bassline and upbeat rhythm. The album has a cohesion similar to a well-selected soundtrack, with each track being purposeful if not always memorable on every song. The lyrical themes, as well as the album's late-night slow dance vibe, are what develop the flow of each track. There is a singular, organic presence on Hive Mind, where even the few additional co-writers and musicians do not distract from the spaced-out interactions between each member. It's a rare occurrence in music to have the whole band involved in an album's creative process and production, which instantly keeps everything fresh and not unnecessarily repetitive. Granted, the band is definitely repeating themselves, and that is what keeps this album a solid notch below Ego Death.

Luckily, as said before, the unwillingness to conform to anyone's standards suits The Internet well, and their choice to keep things free and relaxed is admirable. Now down to five members, the band is still clearly able to stay fresh above the R&B waters; it's a wonder that a band four albums in has not succumbed to the pressure of popularity and pandering (as many R&B artists inevitably do). I sincerely hope (and expect) that this album and the band will continue to do well in the public eye, as they really are a special group. Even so, it is hard to say whether or not we will get another Ego Death out of The Internet, but until then, jam out to "Come Over" and forget your woes.