Music > Album Reviews

Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Sex & Food

06/04/18

Glamorous psychedelia rules on Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s third album Sex & Food. A kaleidoscopic representation of the spectrum of human experience, Sex & Food is a truly diverse and comprehensive sonic exploration.

With a hue of retro Americana, ‘Major League Chemicals’ opens the record proper. The track slides from roots, to blues, to psychedelia, never settling on anything long enough to lose its overall focus. As the record melts into itself, the concern with modern life becomes more apparent.

‘Ministry of Alienation’ rolls over a distorted arpeggio, with frontman Ruban Nielson’s trademark underwater vocal style very much taking centre stage. Disillusionment and discontent take the starring role here, particularly on lead single ‘American Guilt’. The starkly warped guitar of the track intensifies its lyrically dystopian landscape; Nielson’s crooning of “tape over the camera/eyes painted on eyelids” is deeply affecting.

The album dips in tempo often, the changeability of the record bleeding into its topical concerns; there is a myriad of themes, from pleasurable consumption, to dismal realities. Later tracks ‘This Doomsday’ and ‘Not in Love We’re Just High’ are the slow-burning yet affecting songs of the album.

A deeply mysterious and eclectic album, Sex & Food tackles a plethora of topics, with a subdued, calming, yet often unnerving instrumental to support it. A truly experimental and enjoyable record.

8/10