Psychosemantics - Floodhounds
By Thomas Bridger
Released on the 17th February, Floodhounds’ new single Psychosemantics combines the musical idioms of pop-punk and grunge rock with alternative rock and psychedelia…
Psychosemantics - Floodhounds
Songwriter Jack Flynn mentions the theme of the song explores “dealing with the external chaos that you can sometimes find yourself thrown into without warning”. These expressions of chaos, anger, and frustration are prevalent throughout the song. From the unrelenting eighth-note chugging during the verses to the chromatic relationship between the chords in the chorus, Floodhounds’ portrayal of intense emotion is excellently demonstrated from start to finish.
The verses are laden with crunchy guitar chords as well as dark countermelodies, played on guitar and synth, that give a real sense of building intensity, and impending chaos. This is supported by the heavy drop in the chorus, one which I didn’t at first appreciate until I switched from my tinny speakers to my loud, bass-heavy headphones; the chorus hits hard. Supplemented by a sub-bass drop, as well as layering of instruments, it speaks to what Flynn mentions earlier, about being thrown into chaos and anarchy. We find ourselves right in the middle of it all, and it’s great. The call and response between the guitar, and the almost shouted, Billie Joe Armstrong-esque vocals, leads us into the syncopated b-section of the chorus creeping underneath the wavering guitar tremolo.
Floodhounds // Picture: Eleanor Freeman
These pop-punky, grungy qualities offer something familiar to us, while the dark melodies and experimental sounds offer an array of psychedelic textures. Meshing the two tells an intense and surreal story, while still bringing an uplifting, exciting experience.
Psychosematics is a rousing explosion of intense emotion, texture and musicality. Listening to the track makes me seriously excited to see it performed live, which I’m sure would amplify the excitement of this behemoth of a song tenfold. With upcoming gigs across the country this year, Psychosemantics might just be the song that paves a path for Floodhounds to the very top of the alternative music scene.