Cage the Elephant – Out Loud Review

What promising work Cage the Elephant has on their hands with first single Neon Pill. Those late to the party of Out Loud are those who are either out of the musical loop or have spent the better part of this month reflecting on a near-death experience. What a small world we live in and what a time to screech and clamour for sense. Cage the Elephant is not the provider of this, but they do mark an impressive sound on their second Neon Pill single, Out Loud. Time is fleeting and already Good Time, their third single and presumably the last before the album releases, is out. But we can only do so much with two hands and one brain, part of it slop and mush, the other wired furiously to keep the rest of it in check as lukewarm coffee is guzzled. What a life. Out Loud is a neat number to keep with you through all this. 

For those expecting a thump and alternative screech like Melophobia, you are mistaken and welcome to settle into a slower, sharper piece of a cocaine blues aesthetic. What are we to do when our wings are clipped, and we find ourselves fumbling once more? It is inevitable but the process of messing up and owning it is the very clear message here. Mistakes are not to be mocked but are a knock to your efforts elsewhere, an understanding lesson and a string-laden improvement to be made in your own life. Out Loud is neat and it holds down its dream-chasing suspense but does linger on the same musings as a primary school hymn. But those flickers of individuality and hope bring on the post-anger clarity.  

Fear fuels the immediate reaction. Volatility is natural and the emotional outburst is no longer of joy but a constant run of annoyance, rage and confusion. Out Loud is desperate to make a connection with those needing to speak their truth in a day and age of constant, worrying occurrences. It leans a little too much on this and lyrically lays it on thick, but therein lies the joy Cage the Elephant finds themselves toying with. This is no Melophobia and if this track is any indication of where the band is headed, they hope to have their album of reassurances for the lost listeners. Those piano notes try and tie the heartstrings to each note and tear them down with each stroke but it is easy to see through this. At least with Cage the Elephant their genuine cries are not in question.  

Out Loud certainly holds a truth to it – an honesty and openness the band has afforded their listeners time and again. No matter where it leads them, the tranquil and broad strokes of emotive favour found here, for instance, are at least indicative of where the band is and where they believe their listeners are. Clipped wings and the failure which comes even when trying your best. There is poignancy here and it hits harder, harsher now more than ever as their core listeners grow and try and blossom under their guidance. Moving out, moving home, it all makes a difference and the harsh realities it brings about, the impact on your health and your hopes, is not lost on Cage the Elephant.