Do You Feel Ok?

Description

CD is a 4 Panel Digipack.

LP comes w/ Digital Download Card.

Do You Feel Ok? Its a question you can answer with a shake of the head or an hour-long tangent. For Superhumanoids, its the title of their sophomore album, but it goes deeper than that.

Its an inquiry that they kept asking each other throughout recordinga meditation on indecision, the infinite paths available, the dubious and righteous choices youve made, the changes in your own life that dont always parallel those closest to you. It can be an obvious yes or no, or an existential inquiry without easy answers.

Since their 2013 Innovative Leisure debut, Exhibitions, the LA trio sound like theyve traveled 30 years forward. Whereas their first album elicited comparisons to artists from the 1980s, Do You Feel Ok? reflects the present in all the power and clarity possible with modern technology.

The synths are phosphorescent. Lead singer Sarah Chernoffs vocals are sleek, ethereal, and ignore gravitational limitations. With propulsive drum machines and feathery hooks, the band blends futuristic electronic textures with classic regard for songwriting. Superhumanoids are singular, but their grace at switching between dance music and rock recall similar hybrids, Darkside and Caribou.

In the middle of recording, we went on tour with Erasure and realized that the songs wed written werent achieving the energetic atmosphere we hoped for, says Max St. John, the bands synth programmer. When we got home we made the necessary changes to create that energy. We wrote additional songs, we sped up tempos, and made changes to the production that we felt were more exciting.

All three members, Chernoff, Cameron Parkins, and St. John share writing credits and display a rare chemistry. But the durability of their bond comes from both an inherent connection and having been repeatedly tested.

When we released our first record we had a lot of expectations, some of which werent met. The ensuing disappointment caused strain on our relationships as band mates and friends, says Parkins, Superhumanoids guitarist.When we got together again to start making music for the second album, our friendships felt re invigorated and our eyes were open as to what to expect from releasing an album.

Their debut found Pitchfork hailing them for their sleepily epic dream-pop. The Fader praised their luxurious radio-friendly songs.The New York Times’ T Magazine called “So Strange” a candidate for song of the summer. But with their second album, theyve ascended to a different elevationretaining their pop infectiousness but adding an experimental edge.

Do You Feel Ok? is the leap that comes when a band figures out who they are, how to trust each other, and how to create a sound of their own. Its fluid, full of movement, and capable of pushing people emotionally. If youre exhausted from the monotony of Internet consensus and homogenous bands, press play. This can soundtrack summer pool parties or the drive homewhen you feel okay and when you dont.