Hailing from Pittsburgh, Animal Scream are duo Chad Monticue, who provides vocals and various instrumentation, and Josh Sickels, on drums and percussion. Both share production duties as they create a dark psych-pop sound that draws on influences as diverse as David Lynch, MF Doom and 60s reggae. The result is cinematic and deeply atmospheric.
Here on Slow Down, Animal Scream have created a thick weave of melodic, slowly picked guitars, layered vocals and dubby bass notes. The result has hints of Foals’ cinematic math rock, channeling Afrobeat and highlife stylings to create a sound that is modern and experimental, yet organic and earthy.
As Slow Down’s many components slip into my ears and slide through my mind, the experience is psychedelic and calming, despite the hint of darkness that pervades Animal Scream’s sound. Check it out below: