What does Birdmask sound like?

At the crossroads of chamber pop and alternative music, and you’ve brought a wry sense of humour along for the road trip.

The review of ‘Isolde EP’ by Birdmask

There has always been a playful and humourous element to Birdmask’s music over the years. Swiss multi-instrumentalist Manuel Gagneu from Zeal and Ardor has been charming us for over a decade with his solo work as Birdmask. His new EP ‘Isolde’ is the other side of the coin to his 2023 EP ‘Tristan‘. Equally as fun, dynamic, catchy and accessible whilst being its own thing, It is another fine addition to Birdmask’s discography.

The EP opens with ‘Dial Up’ which has the dial up connection tones whisking their way throughout the song. Sonically the track is electronic first but backed up with traditional electric guitars and pianos. It sounds like the song is hanging for connection until the final third where an aggressive kick drum smashes the track to bits and all calm is lost. ‘Placebohead’ is a fascinating mash-up on two levels. Firstly, this track sounds exactly like what would happen if Placebo and Radiohead had a baby through Manuel’s ears. There is Placebo’s dissonant chords and some hazy otherworldly dread from Radiohead’s symphonic side. Secondly, this track evokes the emotional destabilisation of thinking you’ve taken a calming drug only to realise it hasn’t worked. The soulful verses give way to spooky bridges that get more chaotic and raw as the song progresses to a climactic finale. It is Birdmask at his finest.

With no chill given so far, ‘Go Idah’ is the EP’s dusty rodeo rock track. Continuing the hazy horror from the previous track, everything in this track shies away from sounding comfortable. The fast drums pound with sweat, the swirling guitar haze contorts into unusual chord patterns and the guitar solos are like battle anthems. The only element skipping gleefully through the track is Manuel’s voice as he turns the vocal riffs into schoolyard rhymes that get stuck in your head.

The big alt-pop singles are saved for last. ‘Chillig Jangle’ is a blossoming synth and snazzy guitar piece that smashes together Olga Bell off-kilter synth work with Tasha Sultana’s summery guitars to create an exceptionally catchy tune. It is a ray of sunshine about surviving the daily grind and marching forward. Its playfulness is only usurped by the closing track ‘Toucan’. ‘Toucan’ has an undeniable thick bassline groove that all the other instruments and vocal layers are in service to – it is alt-pop grooviness from the very top tier. As synths, bass notes, call and response lyrics tumble and fumble down the chords with slick drum loops, Birdmask hits his uniquely trademarked “this should be a global smash hit” once again.

‘Isolde’ is a slightly more experimental and rockier than last years ‘Tristan’, which focused on a more gothic-tinged chamber pop. Here, Birdmask leans into alt-rock, soul and electronica from his chamber pop base. It is another rip-roaring success and I’ll continue to wonder when Birdmask will become a global smash with his cleaner production now letting him express his musical range fully. Until then, we can enjoy one of the best secrets in alternative and chamber pop music. Excellent.

Recommended track: Toucan

Support Higher Plain Music

Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network – a one-man indie media project. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. In return, you’ll receive additional perks for supporting me, such as behind-the-scenes content and free downloads. You can also donate using PayPal. Sharing the website helps too or using the affiliate buy now links on reviews. I receive a few pence per Amazon sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. I’d love to make this a full-time media network and your support can make that happen. Thank you.