After years of proving they could execute rhythmically complex music that only advanced mathematics students could follow, the Liverpool trio apparently decided that instrumental complexity wasn’t enough to capture modern angst. So, they evolved… grafting surprisingly good vocals and real (meaningful) lyrics onto their signature blend of chugging riffs and rhythmic trickery. The result is an album that manages to be both emotionally earnest about existential dread and utterly relentless in its dedication to driving home the point musically.
It turns out that when you combine sophisticated fretboard wizardry with shouting about being existentially tired, you get an album that’s incredibly dense and yet, somehow, features sing-alongs. It’s a bold move that risks alienating the purists who prefer their math to remain vocally silent, but it certainly gives the listener something recognizable to grip onto without having to think so hard. A smart move if expanding their audience is one of the goals.
Tom Peters (guitar, vocals)
Ben Griffiths (bass, vocals)
Greg Chapman (drums)
The production is suitably enormous, ensuring that every riff and shouted chorus hits with the force of an extinction-level event, belying their 3-piece stature. Reptilian Brain is less about subtle complexity and more about maximum sonic impact, leaning hard into a heavy, progressive sound that makes their older instrumental work sound almost dainty by comparison. While they retain their established love of ludicrous song titles, the addition of lyrics manages to ground the chaos, forcing the listener to confront the fact that, yes, all this technical flexing is ultimately being employed to discuss feelings. It is an impressive pivot, proving that even in the most niche sub-genres, bands eventually realize the value of a solid chorus and the low-hanging fruit of existential despair.
“Probably Just Hungry” is the shortest song on the album, and is also the most accessible for a wider audience. The song is essentially a cynical lament about how the “daily grind” saps energy and potential, making big feelings—like anxiety or unfulfilled dreams—feel trivial enough to be dismissed as just being “tired or hungry.” This relatable self-shrugging is what makes the emotional message hit hardest. My “runner up” choice would have been “A Terrible Day To Have Eyes” because it brings more weapons to the fight with additional musical complexity, wider dynamic range, and the longer running time letting the band tell a more immersive story. I personally like that, but not everyone will, which is why I ultimately went with “Probably Just Hungry” as today’s Song of the Day.
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