What makes Most Normal by Gilla Band notable?

The album received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with significant recognition from publications like NME and The Guardian praising its inventive sound. Most Normal debuted at number one on the Irish Albums Chart, showcasing the band's growing popularity and influence in the post-punk revival scene. Most Normal is Gilla Band's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed 2020 release, The Talkies. At this point, the band had solidified their presence in the Irish and international music scenes, evolving their sound towards more experimental textures while maintaining their raw energy. The album marks a continuation of their artistic exploration and defiance against conventional genre boundaries.

How many songs are on Most Normal?

Most Normal has 12 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Most Normal

Gilla Band · 2022

36 min · 12 tracks

A frenetic blend of noise-rock and post-punk, where jagged guitars meet dissonant rhythms in a chaotic yet captivating soundscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Gum — Opening with abrasive guitar riffs and urgent vocals, this track encapsulates the band's signature chaotic energy while setting the tone for the album's exploration of existential themes.
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Backwash — This track features a relentless rhythm and haunting lyrics that explore feelings of isolation, effectively demonstrating Gilla Band's ability to fuse emotional depth with intense instrumentation.
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The Weirds — A standout six-minute epic that builds tension with its layered sounds, this track showcases the band’s experimentation and serves as an anthem for embracing life's absurdities.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's inventive sound and chaotic structure create a compelling yet unpredictable listening experience.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features tracks that maintain a high energy level with aggressive guitar riffs and driving rhythms, while the second half introduces more experimental soundscapes.
Vocals are often delivered in a shouted style, blending into the chaotic instrumentation rather than standing out as traditional lead lines.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

I Was Away

The lyrics shift from introspective reflections on absence to a sudden burst of chaotic imagery.

This contrast between calm reflection and frenzied chaos illustrates the internal conflict present throughout the album, enhancing its thematic depth.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 The Gum 2:48
2 Eight Fivers 2:20
3 Backwash 3:21
4 Gushie 1:09
5 Bin Liner Fashion 2:18
6 Capgras 0:54
7 The Weirds 6:44
8 I Was Away 4:38
9 Almost Soon 3:22
10 Red Polo Neck 1:59
11 Pratfall 2:34
12 Post Ryan 4:26

What to play next

Go back to

The Talkies

2019

Full Gilla Band discography Artists like Gilla Band

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata