Glass Animals – Dreamland

Review

"Dreamland," the ethereal opus from Glass Animals, is a wondrous voyage into the labyrinth of Dave Bayley’s childhood reminiscences and raw, unfiltered experiences. Released on August 7, 2020, this album lovingly unfurls a tapestry woven with threads of youthful nostalgia, presenting themes that dance between the tender worlds of vulnerability, maturation, and life’s multifaceted nature. The very essence of escapism, as hinted by the dreamy title, serves as a gateway to Bayley’s personal "la la land," a fusion of indie rock and nostalgic early 2000s R&B and hip hop vibes.

Highlights like the ubiquitous anthem "Heat Waves," with its staggering 5 billion streams, capture the heart with a melodic embrace, while tracks such as "Tokyo Drifting" featuring Denzel Curry, "Your Love (Déjà Vu)," and the haunting "It’s All So Incredibly Loud" offer a rich palette of sounds and emotions. Sprinkled with interludes from Bayley’s own childhood home videos, "Dreamland" envelops listeners in a deeply intimate narrative. This album’s poignant allure saw it soaring to number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and number 7 on the US Billboard 200. With glowing variants like the "Real Life Edition" and visual accompaniments, it’s a testament to Glass Animals’ knack for crafting hypnotic yet introspective melodies that beckon the listener to explore the delicate interplay of identity and growth. - Harper