With O Monolith, Squid seem to deepen towards not only the more experimental, patience testing, and slowly gratifying realms of post rock and post punk, but they also seem to deepen within themselves. It is a more challenging listen as a result but is still rewarding when given the time.
Back just a few years ago, Squid have been merely students in the recent post punk revival within their home country. Since their Warp Records debut album Bright Green Field, which was my favorite album the year it was released in 2021, they've certainly deserved the graduation status within this wild and genre bending genre. There was a sense of immediacy, vibrancy, and intensity within their music that some of their contemporaries either lacked or weren't as fully embracing. They've boldly taken a step with instantly gratifying hooks while experimenting and tinkering with progressions and electronic endeavors.
Now they've taken a step further into these exploratory trenches with their sophomore release titled O Monolith. There is still some immediacy here and there, such as the tight and danceable grooves on the satisfyingly memorable lead single "Swing (In a Dream)" (a 2023 highlight) or the quick rush of riffing and pace on "The Blades" or "Green Light." But for the majority of O Monolith, Squid seem to deepen towards not only the more experimental, patience testing, and slowly gratifying realms of post rock and post punk, but they also seem to deepen within themselves. There's a much darker thematic tone here which is surprising considering the isolated and apocalyptic themes their previous record wholly captured. There's a certain sinister aesthetic on O Monolith that isn't present on Bright Green Field and as a result makes Squid sound much more menacing than before (if it even was possible).
The overall album listening experience is a more challenging one as a result but is still rewarding when given the time. Many of these cuts, especially the deeper ones, may not grab you right away but with repeated listens they do seem to get better and better. "Siphon Song" is one of these examples with a slow building progression of harmonies and a robotic, icy monologue-like singing that rises to an explosion of noise. "Devil's Den" has these sharp keys that seem to come out of nowhere with a swirling guitar riff and a yelpey delivery by drummer/lead vocalist Ollie Judge to match with it. "Undergrowth" has a midnight in the city / mid 90's nocturnal club track whose instrumental could've easily snuck into Björk's Post album. "The Blades" has a certain immediacy I like, similarly coming from their previous release and as it stretches out at six and a half minutes, its progression reaches towards another fiery climax with crashing cymbals and squealing horns to boot. "After the Flash" is the weakest moment for me since its tedious and slow burn may be a bit too dull to match up with the rest of the track listing. "Green Light" is another enjoyable cut even though its grooves and overall tune are a bit too rudimentary and general to be a huge standout. The album closes with the menacing and hilariously titled "If You Had Seen the Bull's Swimming Attempts You Would Have Stayed Away." It has haunting repeated group chanting and a driving chorus that's reminiscent of the post rock from the 90's a la Tortoise.
I was super excited to hear O Monolith considering this would be the highly anticipated follow up to one of my favorite debut albums in recent memory. Although I ended up wanting more, O Monolith is a surprising left field for the band who seem to pivot into even more uncharted territory. Knowing the group's unpredictability, Squid could've gone in any direction next to be honest and they still would've thrown a curve ball at the listener. Even though there is a noticeable lack of immediate grooves, memorable hooks, and bolder progressions that was way more prominent on Bright Green Field, O Monolith still packs a punch. It probably won't garner as many listens for me but it's still a solidly impressive sophomore release from a still young and new band. As always, I'm looking forward to whatever they make next.
My Rating: 8 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Swing (In a Dream)," "Siphon Song," "Undergrowth," "Devil's Den"
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