Album Review: Glass Animals - Dreamland

Reverb soaked bell synths and strings send us straight into the Dreamland of Glass Animal’s aptly titled third studio album. As quirky lyrics ramble throughout Tangerine (“I miss ramen noodles and laughing at you”) and Hot Sugar (“lemongrass eyelids”), the thick layers of sounds that float across tracks like Waterfalls Coming Out Your Mouth contain so many small noises that pop up throughout, you’ll hear something different each time you listen, a nod to Glass Animal’s eclectic production.

Navigating the early childhood bliss in Space Ghost Coast To Coast, vocalist Dave Bayley recalls the nostalgia of the simple times, reciting things like Pokemon and Dunkaroos and reminiscing on old memories. We get visited by snippets of old home movies through the album - hearing a young Bayley watching Sesame Street, playing with rockets and putting shoes on - each track hits at the chest, warm and fuzzy with wholesome emotion. 

One moment we’re cruising to the heavy bass lines and bouncing beats of Tokyo Drifting, the next we’re floating through tasty bubblegum pop of Your Love (Deja Vu). Things even take a heavy turn during Domestic Bliss as we’re thrown into the turmoil is an abusive relationship from the perspective of a child (“Why’d you put up with that shit? / Why’d you go back for that kiss?”). 

The album navigates all the ups and downs of growing up and trying to find that dreamworld existence. As the birds chirp, guitars strum lightly and the harmonised vocals of Helium soar and the beginning of Dreamland repeats, have we found our place, or are we destined to repeat it forever?