Mogwai
The Hawk Is Howling

Campus Correspondent Review By Trevor Starnes
Samford University

With its 6th studio album, Mogwai has stepped outside the box to bring its diverse, emotional and innovative sound to life. This quintet from Glasgow has veered away from the traditional realm of the post-rock genre, made popular by Explosions In The Sky, to bring a fresh, bolder and more eminent sound to its latest record The Hawk Is Howling (Matador). One may say that their downfall is the absence of lyrics, but members let their music do the talking by incorporating an environment allowing the listener to create their own pictures and stories influenced by the music.

The opening track Im Jim Morrison, Im Dead starts the record off in royal Scottish fashion. This is a climatic song of epic proportions, one that begins with a slow, ominous piano melody continuing into an all out anthem. The single of the record Batcat is loaded with distorted guitars reminiscent of any famous fight scene between Batman and The Joker. The Sun Smells Too Loud shows the diversity of the bands creative genius by integrating a steady stream of synth and guitar effects thrown into the pot with an array of catchy pop tones to create a sensational song.

Mogwais artistic ability doesnt end with only musical hits, but its creativity carries over to the name of several songs (including a humorous state such as The Sun Smells Too Loud and Thank You Space Expert, to the blunt, eerie title I Love You, Im Going To Blow Up Your School). The breathtaking beauty of the album is evident in the inspirational hits that have no boundaries and a never ending punctuation of sound that listeners will likely love and enjoy.