Protean Threat
Osees · 2020
103 min · 31 tracks · alternative rock
A frenetic blend of garage rock and avant-garde experimentation, weaving dissonance with melodic undertones across its concise tracks.
Top tracks — play these first
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Scramble Suit II — This opening track encapsulates the album's frenetic energy with rapid-fire rhythms and jagged guitar riffs, setting the tone for the entire experience.
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Red Study — Combining hypnotic repetition with striking melodies, this track exemplifies Osees' knack for balancing chaos and beauty within their music.
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If I Had My Way — A standout moment that showcases the band's lyrical introspection against a backdrop of driving instrumentation, highlighting their evolution as songwriters.
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The Dream — With its expansive length and layered textures, this track pushes the boundaries of traditional song structure, embodying the experimental spirit of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's frenetic energy and inventive structures make it stand out, though its brevity affects cohesion.
What we noticed
- Many songs incorporate abrupt tempo changes and dissonant chord progressions, reflecting an avant-garde approach.
- The use of layered instrumentation often creates a dense soundscape, with guitars and drums frequently overlapping in chaotic patterns.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- whirlwind of frenetic energy
- dynamic journey with varied pacing
- for adventurous listeners
- headphone detail hunting required
- short bursts of sonic chaos
Maybe skip if you
- seeking straightforward song structures
- prefer long, consistent tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on September 18, 2020, 'Protean Threat' is Osees' follow-up to their critically acclaimed album 'Face Stabber'. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their reputation for boundary-pushing soundscapes and prolific output, maintaining a dynamic presence in the modern psych-rock scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ty Segall· Pond· King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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If I Had My Way
A reflective moment where the narrative shifts from personal desire to collective yearning amidst an upbeat tempo.
This shift adds depth to the song, transforming it from a personal anthem into a broader commentary on shared human experience.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Scramble Suit II 2:27
- 2 Dreary Nonsense 1:34
- 3 Up Beat Ritual 2:11
- 4 Red Study 3:12
- 5 Terminal Jape 2:20
- 6 Wind Run 2:06
- 7 Said the Shovel 4:37
- 8 Mizmuth 2:09
- 9 If I Had My Way 2:47
- 10 Toadstool 4:56
- 11 Gong of Catastrophe 4:43
- 12 Canopnr ’74 3:00
- 13 Persuaders Up! 2:23
Disc 2
- 1 It Killed Mom 2:42
- 2 Maria Stacks 2:17
- 3 Rainbow 1:46
- 4 The Fizz 1:58
- 5 I Was Denied 3:38
- 6 Stinking Cloud 3:11
- 7 The Dream 6:52
- 8 Hang a Picture 3:55
- 9 I Come From the Mountain 4:28
- 10 Sewer Fire 2:52
- 11 Transparent World 3:31
- 12 Withered Hand 3:30
- 13 The Axis 6:11
- 14 At the End, on the Stairs 2:45
- 15 The Static God 4:20
- 16 “C” 4:21
- 17 Face Stabber 2:44
- 18 Poisoned Stones 3:55
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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