Photo by Marie Renaud
It is little wonder as to why Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland has become such a cultural touchstone globally. The novel and its subsequent film and stage adaptations play upon the human desire to escape and/or transcend the confines of normality; to lose oneself in a world where even the most fantastical of occurrences – like caterpillars exhaling technicolor smoke or playing cards coming to life to paint roses red — seem possible.
It is this element of otherworldliness and fantasy that Post Animal wonderfully emulates throughout the (nearly seven minute) duration of their latest single, “Safe or Not.” The track, which is their first release since their 2018 debut album When I Think of You In A Castle, is a goliathan cocktail of thoughtful lyrics, sharp rhythms, tonal variance, and guitar hooks that stay in the brain with the permanence of a tattoo. With these elements playing an active role in propelling the track’s sense of agency, the listening experience itself is comparable to falling down the rabbit hole and into a land of unimaginable phenomena.
This is created in no small part due to the sense of deliberateness in which Post Animal clearly approaches their arrangements. Like a strong majority of their existing tracks, “Safe or Not” is rife with detail and nuance — and each note, rhythm, and flourish plays a key role in cultivating the world of the song that the listener becomes ensconced in. For example, the Floydian guitar wails that stretch over the track’s minute and a half mark like cosmic rays of light pairs intriguingly with the intricate percussion that occurs simultaneously, (drummer Wesley Toledo is a constant standout) and the nexus is something that is almost intoxicating to the ear. The same can be said for the majesty that unfurls during the track’s second half, which will be intentionally left un-described here because experiencing the nuance and the surprise that “Safe or Not” offers is such an enriching part of its listening experience and I want you, dear reader, to enjoy and revel in that as fully as possible.
With that being said, Post Animal has placed the listener in the role of Alice. “Safe or Not” introduces the ear and mind alike to a fantastical world filled with long, winding paths that lead to unexpected destinations, murky corners, moments of euphoria, and more. The track in itself is a wonderland, and no matter which path of the mind the listener chooses to go down, a truly special experience is had.
“Safe or Not” places Post Animal in the role of Alice, too, as the track exhibits clear creative growth and exploration. Just as they’ve created a wonderland for the listener, they’ve created a wonderland for themselves as well — one in which they can experiment, create, and cultivate freely. The cornucopia of lovely little details that pepper the track make it clear that they are doing as such. May Post Animal continue to grow “curiouser and curiouser” and continue to delve into their own wonderland – it’s one hell of a fascinating rabbit hole for the listener to fall into.
Post Animal is Dalton Allison, Jake Hirshland, Javi Reyes, Wesley Toledo, and Matt Williams. To listen to “Safe or Not,” click here.
