One of this year’s most exciting debut albums―nay, albums in general―was made by a group of eight people from Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. In an age of internet connections, these musicians came together from all corners of the world with technology to create Superorganism.
The band’s self-titled debut dropped in March, and it has been widely celebrated for its sheer unusualness and creativity. The pop octet doesn't make music in a standard way. Instead, their creative process is a mish-mash of ideas, thrown together in a kaleidoscope of sound.
Passing around a simple idea on an audio file, each member adds their own idea to the song, layering and layering sounds on top of each other. Though this method sounds like it would produce nonsensical noise, the result is unlike anything else being made right now. It’s psychedelic, it’s colorful, it’s poppy.
Superorganism’s creativity doesn’t stop at their music. The band’s live sets usually involve huge colorful projections, neon outfits and 3D glasses. The large scale production of a full Superorganism set is simply one branch of the group’s creative tree. To see another, look no further than the band’s Tiny Desk Concert for NPR below. Superorganism went behind the desk with no projections, no neon colors and no 3D glasses. Just their creativity and a lot of inflatable whales.
The approach the group takes toward pop music is a road less traveled, but when it’s witnessed in sound or in sight, the weirdness of it all strikes a craving for more. The band’s creativity oozes into every aspect of their existence, from their music to their website, from their videos to their live shows.
Portland got a taste of it all at the Doug Fir earlier this year, and luckily for us, they'll return on August 30 for a headline Wonder Ballroom set. You’d be wise not to miss it.—Brendan Swogger
