Glass Animals – ZABA

Review

Imagine you've wandered into a technicolor jungle, where the trees chirp with rhythms and the breeze winks with tropical percussion. This alluring world is conjured by Glass Animals' debut marvel, "ZABA," which sprang to life in 2014. Guided by lead singer David Bayley's tales inspired by "The Zabajaba Jungle," this album dances on the edge of dreams and reality, blending psychedelic indie pop with lush jungle timbres—think R&B's sultry beats playing hide and seek with glistening electronica.

The songs within are minimalist marvels—so clean and de-cluttered, it's as though they've decided to let the very air between beats shimmer. Sparse and groove-driven, these tracks merge soulful vocals and light, glitchy synths. Tracks like "Pools," "Flip," and "Black Mambo" beckon with their atmospheric charm, forging soundscapes that are like walking on liquid velvet. Bayley’s honey-dripped tones whisper like secret passwords to this enchanted realm, evoking raven-winged comparisons to the likes of James Blake and Thom Yorke.

To dwell in "ZABA" is to dip one's toes into a crystalline pond where each ripple reflects R&B's rich hues and hip-hop's spirited soul. It's not just music—it's a kaleidoscope spun from a jungle's heart. You can almost taste lush greens and feel the velvet air brushing past as you find yourself spellbound by Glass Animals' sparkling debut. With a synesthesia rating of misty emerald with a pinch of zesty citrus, "ZABA" welcomes you into its mystical fold, both experimental and delightfully accessible—the perfect soundscape for dreaming. - Lyric