By Guy Marcham, Music Sub-Editor
'Highly pretentious and bonkers pop collective bring a splash of colour to Bristol's SWX', Music Sub-Editor Guy Marcham reviews Superorganism
Amongst layers of strobing technicolour lights and giant LED screens, the absurdist octet bounce on stage, decked in sparkling glitter and flamboyant capes. As discordant synths stutter out of control and computer game music flutters in the background, a trio of backing singers carry out 3 giant glowing orbs. Quite the mind-boggling entrance, I can rest assure you.
However, Superorganism are no regular band. The multinational eight piece formed on online music forums and then together moved to a four bedroom house in East London. With an incredibly unusual backstory and an even more unusual sound and visual arrangement, you may regard the group somewhat as a gimmick, overstuffed with cartoonish child-like eccentricities. However, it's this wonderful absurdism that makes Superorganism so unique and eye-catching. Representing a colourful extravaganza of electronic Nintendo art pop, polished and packaged for the selfie generation.
The collective explode into action with the track, 'SPRORGNSM' off their self-titled debut album, released this year. The group then raced into the track, 'Night Time'. A song, I believe was utilised way too early into the band's short set. The track's swirling synths and pulsing drumbeat prove instantly danceable. While its catchy and infectious chorus stayed with me long after the gig had finished. It can be said that Superorganism raised the bar too high with only their second song of the evening, as tracks such as 'Nobody Cares' and 'Reflections On The Screen' fail to translate within a live setting. While, singer Orono Nguchi's Stephen Malkmus esque nonchalant and effortless voice captures the audiences' attention, the samples used can at times seem overbearing. A long way off the supercharged and hectic live show of sample heavy indie rock band, The Go! Team. However, perhaps this is as a result of the band's incredibly recent conception. With the extensive use of samples taking further time to embed themselves within the live experience.
The group finish their short set at Bristol's SWX with a trio of spectacular splashes of pure joy and exuberance. The light-hearted art pop banger, 'Everybody Wants To Be Famous' saw the incredibly young Bristol crowd dance and sway with clear elation. This was then followed by the song 'Relax' in which members of the crowd were invited up onto the stage. One of the lucky fans happened to be legendary Bristol music icon, Big Jeff, who proved to be quite the dancer alongside the octet's three enthusiastic backing singers. Superorganism then finished proceedings with probably their biggest song to date, 'Something For Your M.I.N.D'. With warping baselines and bouncing electro pop synths, the song bursts with energy, colour and immersive fun.
Amongst the chaotic mind map of camera flashes, computer game visuals and shapeshifting splatters of sparkling synth, it's easy for Superorganism to somehow get lost. At times, the shear bonkers experience can leave you scratching your head, searching for any tangible meaning behind the overarching neon flashing lights. Despite this, Superorganism do reflect musical escapism at its best, leaving you with a smile on your face and spring in your step.
Featured Image: Guy Marcham/ Epigram
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