Supergroup Imitating Aeroplanes release debut album, Planet Language.

With previous experience from highly successful bands, you can’t deny that the bar for Imitating Aeroplanes‘ debut, Planet Language is set high. Yet, Marius Drogsås Hagen and Tord Øverland Knudsen have some delicious tricks and intelligent turns up their sleeve.

From the bursting start of playful Roppongi Hills it’s clear that Planet Language is an eminent debut. The influx of different influences tangles together into a concoction of vibrant, rich melodies. Building upon each other, each element still shines through, revealing the complexity of the composition.

Following up is recent single Stomping Ground, one of the highlights of the record. The album version is stretched out, and the more fluid sonics of the song really shine through. Still, the chorus is the beacon, standing out with such tangible sense of emotion captured in the melody and the lyrics. “Holding on to everything we’re missing / moving on was never easy / I’m reliving distant memories but losing my foothold / leaving my stomping ground”.

The album does, in a way, exceeds our world as it moves into territory similar to the psychedelic terrain of Tame Impala, whilst simultaneously infusing prog vibes into the melody. The bouncing rhythms and excruciating attention to detail aligned with the symbiosis of mutual optimism and darkness. Songs such as Diamond Dust and title track Planet Language embody the duality manifested throughout the record, clinging to the sense of escapism.

The prolonged instrumental bridges are ever-shifting, manifesting the changing nature of the album. H.I.T.S is an atmospheric dream of a tune. Lyrically it hits the core of the album head on, and whilst the fragmenting outbursts of noise break up the melody, it somehow makes sense.

Honestly, the album works best as a whole, with each tune flowing into the next. Listening through the entire Planet Language is a special experience, though there are songs that stands out on their own, they grow even bigger when complimenting each other. On the other hand, Planet Language is also a demanding album. Here we have two people very excited about music completely nerding out, so the outcome might be far-fetched for some.

Imitating Aeroplanes have created a beautifully detailed and complex debut, and though it might not be for everybody it’s worth a listen.