As you are trudging through your drab day filled with desks covered in to-do lists, consider escaping for an hour to a strange wonderland. Earlier this year, alternative rock band The Flaming Lips released their album “Oczy Mlody,” involving psychedelic lyrics paired with immersive instrumentals. This new release takes the listener to a place where frogs with demon eyes and female dragon riders can be found.
The Flaming Lips originate from Oklahoma City and have been making music since 1983. They are known for their encapsulating melodic vocals and a sound that can be best described as trippy. Through the use of instruments like the theremin (an electronic musical instrument that can be played without physical contact), the band is able to create synthetic, trance-like tunes that dart in and out of the listener’s headphones.
Lead vocalist of The Flaming Lips Wayne Coyne performs at the Palace Theatre in Melbourne Photo Courtesy of remixyourface
Alumnus Bryan Bethel, who earned his degree in graphic design in 2016, self-identifies as a fan of the psychedelic rock subgenre, which includes The Flaming Lips. Although Bethel would not describe himself as someone with a diehard investment in the band, he was drawn into “Oczy Mlody.” “You see, I wouldn’t describe myself as a boring person but I’m not a crazy party animal,” he explained. “This album allowed me to escape the tethers of reality and end up somewhere a lot stranger.”
Bethel was drawn in by the song “There Should Be Unicorns,” which he described as a “weird, drug-infused, slow-paced melody.” The lyrics center on a place with purple-eyed unicorns and strippers, where problems are easily escaped through the guise of sex and money. “The album allows a safe outlet to explore the weirdness I would otherwise be missing out on,” he said.
“Oczy Mlody” may allow for the mind to drift along a dream-like, smooth rhythm, but The Flaming Lips are not a band for everyone. The lyrics do not have a hidden moral and are not obviously relatable. Additionally, the tune can seem random at times such as in “Nigdy Nie (Never No).” The song begins with a light, multi-layered synthetic sound and suddenly shifts to something heavier and rhythmic towards the end.
Overall, I found the album to be worth listening to despite having less familiarity with the subgenre than Bethel. The sound was unlike anything I was used to hearing as it was more electronic and, in a sense, textured. I could feel the layers of keyboard-generated notes tapping my eardrums. I recommend that even if psychedelic rock does not traditionally show up in your playlists, you should give “Oczy Mlody” a listen and see where these mind-numbing tunes take you. For those who have been fans of the band or would like to experience The Flaming Lips for the first time, they will be performing at The Pageant in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 23.