Artificial Selection - Dance Gavin Dance (Review/Analysis)
Artificial Selection is the tenth release and ninth album from American rock band Dance Gavin Dance. And HOLY SHIT is it good.
Son of Robot -
The album begins with Son of Robot, which was also the second single to be released for this album. The song begins with a very chill intro, before almost immediately moving into Jon Mess’ vocals, an interesting contrast that hooks you in for the beginning of the album. The majority of the song speaks about heartbreak, and even mentions the Robot with Human Hair, a character from some of their previous albums.
Midnight Crusade -
Midnight Crusade was the lead single off the album, and the first to receive a music video. It is kind of like the opposite of Son of Robot, as instead of immediately beginning with Mess (although he does come in early), the song ends with a solo from Mess. It tells a narrative of a pessimistic coming-of-age moment, with the character moving on from a lover who thinks they need them. They seem to be overall numb, yet happy.
Suspended In This Disaster -
The title of this song plays into the lyrics pretty literally. The perspective showcases a confused look at someone, wanting to know how long they’re going to have to wait for anything. The guitar in the beginning showcased a great intro.
Care -
Care was the third single to be released, and was also the second to get a music video. It talks about a person leaving a relationship, acting like everything’s fine. They are reminiscent of old memories, viewing everything as bliss. They have a “higher than everyone” and “us against the world” feel. Tillian’s vocals in the chorus are very emotional and outgoing. The perspective character seems to have broken up with their lover, who becomes salty. The character is conflicted on how to feel about said lover.
Count Bassy -
Count Bassy was the fourth and final single to be released before the album and is currently the last one to have received a music video. The person displays an overall indifference to change. The line “Empathy is overrated” works really well, cementing the overall disinterest. It gives a sociopathic, gritty and spine-chilling feel, but in a good way.The guitar solo in the last minute paired with Jon Mess’ vocals and Tillian’s A Capella work really well overall and was a great way to end the song.
Flash -
The song talks about two childhood friends that grew up, and want to know more about each other again. They seem to want to start over, and maybe even love each other. However, one believes that no one cares about them, and is still numb.
The Rattler -
The Rattler is about a confrontation, telling the confront-ee that they went to massive waste, but the confront-er can also see where they’re coming from, beginning to give up themselves. They themselves have also stopped caring. The guitar solo works really well.
Shelf Life -
Shelf Life features the vocals of Kurt Travis, one of the band’s previous singers (and good FUCK does his voice make me want to vocally nut). The overall chill vibe of the song works extremely well with Travis’ vocals. This is without a doubt my favorite song off the album. It talks about a haunted past, and how they thought things would change, but nothing did. They want their lover to break them as a final release, so they won’t have to deal anymore. Mess’ unclean vocals mixed with Travis’ smoother/ depressed vocals showcase a great contrast. The repetition of the first verse drives the impact of the hopelessness felt.
Slouch -
The perspective talks about holding themselves back, like slouching (hence the name). They want to succeed, but they can’t get out of the slump. They know it’s their fault, but would rather blame it on others, since it makes it easier.
Story Of My Bros -
The character has left their friends, and is happy that no one will judge them. Sort of the opposite of Slouch, where they blame themselves. They are both motivated and sad at the same time. They are willing to let someone in, but won’t let them “save me.” The drum pattern mixed with Tillian’s vocals and lyrics gives it a very punk pop/rock feel.
Hair Song -
The song implies covering up appearance with makeup and fancy hair, and refuses to let anyone know. They seem to be comfortable with their fake self, and feel like they can take anything on.
Gospel Burnout -
Gospel Burnout paints the picture that no one truly knows what they are doing, so you stop caring and just live. Try to uphold personal integrity, and live on your own, since nothing really matters overall. This would be my second favorite song off the album. Mess’ vocals over the chorus and bridge mixed with Swan’s dun-dun dun-dun dun dundundundun guitar solo sounds amazing together while he rips into someone. Mess’ “OH’s” also manage to sound both gritty and angelic at the same time.
Bloodsucker -
The line “settled in the victim’s role” explains the song pretty well, comparing the person with a parasite leaching off of others. They seem to want to be attacked, are under a victim complex, and have become extremely predictable. This is similar to The Rattler in that it is also a confrontational song. The singer wants the person to truly suffer to see what it’s actually like. This song offers great guitar solo variety.
Evaporate -
Evaporate is the featured track, featuring vocals from Andrew Wells, a song writer and producer for separate artists. The vocals are amazing, adding to the overall aura around a closing track. It talks about someone watching the character drowning, waiting for them to fail. They’re trying to find love and succeed, even when everything’s against them. Even though whenever they seem to try harder, things get worse (”flame burns brighter, evaporate”). It is an intense, glorious way to end the album. Its emotional lyrics and sound leave you wanting so much more, and I definitely do. This song is my third favorite track off this album.
Overall, this is a great album and a great direction for the band. The production was exemplary, especially as the executive producer was Will Swan himself. It is honestly just beautiful sounding overall. It is a very pessimistic album, which is also played into with the album art. The art showcases many of the animals that have sort of just given up, marching into their conversion to robot, which is especially significant as previous album artworks have showcased the robots and animals fighting (Instant Gratification).
Final verdict: LISTEN TO IT
(also ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆)
