Mandy, Indiana's New Album 'Urgh' Embraces Intensity for Catharsis
The Manchester/Berlin-based four-piece's new album, Urgh, was written in an eerie studio house near Leeds during a time when the band members were undergoing multiple rounds of surgery. This intense and industrial setting seems to be a perfect reflection of their music – an assault on the senses that chills listeners like sticking your fingers into a live socket.
Urgh's distinctiveness comes from its limber rhythms, powered by drummer Alex Macdougall's incredible versatility and singer Valentine Caulfield's staccato delivery. The band's latest creation is alive with addictively free, bodily lope, often stalled by squalling winds and thrashing noise: threats lurking around every corner.
Caulfield has said that she enjoys that most listeners don't understand her lyrics; using them to pass intentions to the listener through performance and words. Whatever your Duolingo level, there's no mistaking the impression of someone feeling trapped in their songs, such as "Try Saying" about wishing for a life of ease.
The album has evolved into a harder, thicker sound with extreme physicality and hyper-detailing that feels like getting dragged under by a strong wave. Guitarist Scott Fair and synth player Simon Catling often blend together seamlessly, creating a ferocious peak like Magazine's – one that pauses to recharge only to renew its obliterating attack.
Urgh is no exception; standout track 'Ist Halt So' packs about four different movements into as many minutes – taunting, staticky, howling, blizzard-like chill. The song has a Nine Inch Nails-worthy way with making the mechanical sleazy and earwormy to disgusting, brilliant ends.
In an era where #MeToo seems to be vanishing from culture's rear window, songs explicitly confronting rape culture have become less headline-grabbing. But Urgh reminds us of its importance – a raging emergency that feels incredibly cathartic when heard from someone like Mandy, Indiana.
The Manchester/Berlin-based four-piece's new album, Urgh, was written in an eerie studio house near Leeds during a time when the band members were undergoing multiple rounds of surgery. This intense and industrial setting seems to be a perfect reflection of their music – an assault on the senses that chills listeners like sticking your fingers into a live socket.
Urgh's distinctiveness comes from its limber rhythms, powered by drummer Alex Macdougall's incredible versatility and singer Valentine Caulfield's staccato delivery. The band's latest creation is alive with addictively free, bodily lope, often stalled by squalling winds and thrashing noise: threats lurking around every corner.
Caulfield has said that she enjoys that most listeners don't understand her lyrics; using them to pass intentions to the listener through performance and words. Whatever your Duolingo level, there's no mistaking the impression of someone feeling trapped in their songs, such as "Try Saying" about wishing for a life of ease.
The album has evolved into a harder, thicker sound with extreme physicality and hyper-detailing that feels like getting dragged under by a strong wave. Guitarist Scott Fair and synth player Simon Catling often blend together seamlessly, creating a ferocious peak like Magazine's – one that pauses to recharge only to renew its obliterating attack.
Urgh is no exception; standout track 'Ist Halt So' packs about four different movements into as many minutes – taunting, staticky, howling, blizzard-like chill. The song has a Nine Inch Nails-worthy way with making the mechanical sleazy and earwormy to disgusting, brilliant ends.
In an era where #MeToo seems to be vanishing from culture's rear window, songs explicitly confronting rape culture have become less headline-grabbing. But Urgh reminds us of its importance – a raging emergency that feels incredibly cathartic when heard from someone like Mandy, Indiana.
I'm low-key obsessed with this new album Urgh!!! The way the band's sounds are like a wild rollercoaster ride is giving me LIFE 
I love how Valentine's lyrics are all subtle and stuff but still pack such a punch – it's like she's speaking straight to your soul 
The industrial setting they wrote in must've added some crazy intensity to the whole album 
And that "Try Saying" song gives me all the feels, can't get it out of my head 
but at the same time, it's kinda fascinating how intense it is? Like, you can tell they're going through some heavy stuff in their lives and that energy comes through in the music. And I love how Valentine Caulfield's lyrics are all cryptic and stuff - it makes me wanna dig deeper into her world 
... but also kinda scary to think about what she might be trying to convey. The way the whole album is like this whirlwind of sound, from squalling winds to earwormy riffs... it's like they're trying to shake off all these emotions and just let them out 
the way they blend industrial and rock sounds together is totally unique and addictive 
"try saying" is giving me LIFE right now, but every song on this album feels like a rollercoaster ride of emotions 
i love how the band's lyrics are all about intensity and catharsis - it's like they're speaking straight to your soul 
their music is like therapy, but way more aggressive and awesome 
gotta give props to scott & simon for blending those sounds together like a sonic masterclass 
. It feels like she's speaking straight to your soul, you know? And the lyrics are so open to interpretation, it's like they're inviting you to fill in the gaps yourself 
. But what really gets me is how 'Urgh' tackles themes of trauma and catharsis in such a raw and honest way 
.
. Like, i get the vibe they're trying to convey but some of these tracks feel like they're just trolling me with all this noise 
. And don't even get me started on the lyrics, i love how valentine caufield does her thing with that staccato delivery 
, but sometimes it feels like she's just rattling off words without any real meaning 
. Overall, its a solid album and all, but i'm still not sure if i fully get what mandy's trying to say 
. The way Mandy Indiana blends their styles together is magic 
! The fact that they're tackling tough subjects like rape culture and still managing to create something cathartic is so admirable