Album Review: Gum’s “Flash In The Pan” Feels Is Musical Cartoon For Your Ears
Tame Impala’s Jay Watson has recently released his third studio album Flash In The Pan under his moniker Gum. This psycho- funk record feels like someone dropped you into a BoJackson Horseman episode; it is cartoonishly vibrant and dark. Yet, that is a customary, music aim for Gum whose momentous soundscapes trap listeners’ minds and transform them into trampolines for his sonic sentiments to bounce upon.
I cannot stop comparing Flash In The Pan to the adult, fantastical cartoons that enrapture viewers like, BoJackson Horseman and Adventure Time. It may seem weird to compare an album to cartoons known for their imagination and seedy humor, but, in many ways, that is what Gum has achieved. You can go from feeling stuck in zipper chain of wickedness, “Deep Razz”, to envisioning yourself being cast in the finale of an 80’s rom-com “Ophelia”. There are so many vapid, fantasies this record inspires that, of course, I would compare it to the neon thoughtfulness of a cartoon. Moreover, its undercurrents of house music and 80’s techno amp the idea that this record is to add fictitious colors to your day, which is a strong contrast to Tame Impala. Though the band also goes for the psychedelia abstraction that music induces in listeners, Gum feels like an artist whose music is inter-dimensional compared to inter-spiritual.
As a huge Tame Impala fan, I was excited to hear Gum’s music and happily surprised to hear its difference in sound. There is nothing better than when an artist expands his image and talent to invite listeners to see new layers of himself. Thus, for Tame Impala fans, Flash In The Pan, will feel like you have an entered an art show for one artist expecting another, yet this one is equally charming. Gum’s Flash In The Pan still takes you to others worlds, like Tame Impala’s sound, but does so with a more mysteriously, fun mindset. Songs like “Deep Heat” and “Rares” will make you think you are pulling a heist with Ryan Gosling’s “The Driver”. Again, emphasizing that Gum virtually draws listeners and outlines their moods to follow his musical desires. In terms of vocals, Gum synthesizes and straight tones his voice to make it sound like the a computer coming to life and etching out wisdom and sonic dreams. This may feel off-putting for those that love the raw, natural rasp of a singer, but Gum is artistically endeared by the digitized and Flash In The Pan show you his reasoning. There is an inherent adrenaline that comes with synthetic rhythms that makes you see how much “more” you want to feel.
Many times people confuse wanting to be “more” with wanting to feel “more”, and Gum’s Flash In The Pan is all about feeling “more”, which is why is stirs exuberant, cinematic displays within listeners.To Gum, that “more” is already inside you waitng to be released through music.Hence, you want to see the music that is making you feel “more”, and Gum’s Flash In The Pan can make you see film reels of sentiment. For More Information On Gum and To Buy Flash In The Pan Click Here.
