Release Date: March 15, 2024 Genre: Alternative Rock, Indietronica Label: Independent
Jared Adams' sophomore album, Mystic Humanism, is a captivating journey into the depths of personal introspection and societal critique. Building on his experiences in theatre and a decade-long tenure in the alt-rock band Colour By Numbers, Adams crafts a sonic landscape that is both innovative and deeply resonant. Throughout the album, Adams' songwriting is sharp and poignant, touching on themes of politics, artificial intelligence, and the environment.
The album opens with the single "Inundated," a track that sets the tone for the rest of the album with its introspective lyrics, haunting melodies, powerful vocals, and insatiable synth lines. Adams' vocals are raw and emotive, drawing the listener in from the very first note.
As the album progresses, tracks like "South End Kids" showcase Adams' ability to blend various elements of rock music and indietronica influences seamlessly, creating a sound that is uniquely his own; modern, but futuristic. Whereas, "Sold Your Soul" takes things down a slower road with a classic alternative rock sound.
A couple of the standout tracks on the album are the back-to-back tracks "Natural Phenomenon" and "Welcome To The Metaverse." Drawing things back with just an acoustic guitar and an assortment of string instruments, Adams dials it back with a massively profound and stripped-down tune, "Natural Phenomenon." The latter, "Welcome To The Metaverse" is a timely exploration of the impact of technology on modern society. Adams' lyrics are thought-provoking and insightful, urging listeners to consider the consequences of our increasingly digital world. Musically, it's one of the album's most experimental.
As the album starts to draw to a close, you get one of the most important tracks, "The Artliect War," which touches upon a fictional, but very plausible war between humans and AI, robots, and technology, if left without any safeguards. Another honourable mention is the title track, "Mystic Humanism." This track in particular takes Adams back to his roots with a straightforward, but meaningful rock number.
Mystic Humanism is not just an album; it's a statement. Adams uses his music as a platform to express his views on the world around him, challenging listeners to think critically about the issues that affect us all. With its innovative soundscapes and thought-provoking lyrics, Mystic Humanism is a testament to Adams' artistry and a must-listen for anyone looking for music with a much deeper meaning.