I Am The Mountain – Overthinking Conversations (2022)
Overthinking things is something that all of us do at some point even when we don’t mean to. This is something that I Am The Mountain picked up on with their aptly titled single ‘Overthinking Conversations’. A slow burn yet deep dive into the concept, the single considers getting stuck in your head while analysing social situations and the difficulties this can create when you try to be yourself.
Far from a typical indie-rock track, the single moves through three sections taking listeners on a journey through a bogged down mind. The arrangement of the single showcases the versatility of the band while enhancing the story of the lyrics. From the collective musicality of Colton O’Reilly (vocals, guitar), Jesse Aaron Shire (bass, vocals), Keath Mueller (horns, keys), Robin Cillo (drums, vocals), Jason Cillo (lead guitar) and Dylan Paish (trombone), this single is one that you are sure to remember for a long time.
‘Overthinking Conversations’ sweeps through you with a hazy tone that is unbelievably atmospheric. The beats echo through the music like they are rising through a deep cavern with the horns adding richness to the sound. This section of the melody has a rich building feeling sweeping through ballad-style movements. It is a steady march down the path of the track leading you to the second heavier section of the melody. This comes through after a rise of shivering drums that topples into serious rock guitars. The guitars soar out from under the horns turning the melody into a toe-tapping mix of rock and jazz. This heavier section drops into a soft rock embrace of the lyrical content before sliding into an orchestral ending. The last section of the melody is full-on instrumentation that is utterly wonderful.
As the melody works through the three sections, O’Reilly’s vocals are whiskey warm and rich as they lightly scratch the back of your brain. Through the first section of the melody, they are emotive and lay the scene of the single. They draw you into the swirling thoughts that come when you start to overthink social interactions. When the melody swings into the heavier rock, the feeling of the vocals change with it. There is a brighter outlook to their movement as they look at what you can do to get out of the rut that is overthinking. The vocals are wonderfully melodic as they reach out a helping hand and let you know that you are not alone in what you are going through. The growl in the low levels of the performance is enhanced during the second section.
I Am The Mountain draw you into the spiral of overthinking social interactions before helping you overcome this through the three sections of ‘Overthinking Conversations’. The music moves from an emotional ballad to heavy rock with vocal growls to an epic orchestral end. The vocals swing to match carrying a growl that scratches at the back of your brain while letting you know you are not alone in what you feel.
Find out more about I Am The Mountain on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
