The Evolution of the Species: Alpha Male Tea Party Find Their Voice on Reptilian Brain
For over a decade, Liverpool’s Alpha Male Tea Party have been the architectural firm of the UK math-rock.noise scene, designing complex, skyscraper-sized instrumental riffs that hit with the force of a wrecking ball. They are staples of the circuit, the kind of band whose name on an ArcTanGent poster guarantees a high-octane masterclass in polyrhythmic groove.
But after releasing their sensational 2020’s ‘Infinity Stare’ into a locked-down world, the trio found themselves at a crossroads. So they didn’t just evolve; they redefined their identity. With their new album, ‘Reptilian Brain’, the band has grown permanent new limbs, stepping out from behind the safety of the pedalboard to deliver their most daring renovation yet: a record where vocals are no longer an occasional flirtation, but a vital organ.
While tracks like « No More » hinted at vocal potential in the past, ‘Reptilian Brain’ is the first time the human voice is as essential as the technical wizardry. It’s a shift that could have felt like an afterthought, but instead feels like a natural blossoming. This transformation is driven by a democratic, high-energy vocal exchange where guitarist Tom Peters provides delicate, soaring croons and melodious hooks, while bassist Ben Griffiths counters with « gruff barks, » howls, and aggressive yelps. Together, they weave in luscious, hearty harmonies that add a « stadium-sized » gravity to their math-rock foundations, ensuring no single member is the « lead » but rather a collective force.
Despite the newfound melodicism, the band hasn’t lost their signature ‘meatiness’. Songs like « Battle Crab » and « (I’m Operatin’ On) Feel Alone » carry a thickness reminiscent of prime Reuben, stampeding through odd-time noodling with heavy precision. What truly sets ‘Reptilian Brain’ apart is its British wit. There is a lightly cynical, satiric edge to the lyrics—yet, this humor is balanced by profound vulnerability. « A Terrible Day To Have Eyes » stands as the album’s emotional peak; a ‘punch to the gut’ that explores the shadow of unavoidable grief. It is a track that manages to be both introspective and massive—a soaring anthem that feels destined to be sung by tens of thousands in a festival field.
« Although it’s the first album where vocals are as essential as the instrumentals, there is not one shred of it feeling like an afterthought. »
Produced by Mark Roberts (Delta Sleep, etc.) and released – like its predecessor – via Big Scary Monsters (Caspian, Delta Sleep, mewithoutyou, Tangled Hair, yndi halda…), the result is a record that is « melodic, chunky, and groovy ». It captures the tight, toe-tapping energy of their live shows while allowing for softer, « mellifluent » moments in tracks like « Sniper’s Dream » and « Probably Just Hungry ».
‘Reptilian Brain’ is more than just a new album; it is Alpha Male Tea Party 2.0. By integrating vocals into their spine of progressive structures, they have transformed from instrumental innovators into a « new and improved entity » capable of reaching for the emotional jugular. Alongside peers like And So I Watch You From Afar and Maybeshewill, AMTP have asserted themselves not just as survivors, but as leaders. The math is still there, the riffs are still punishing, but the heart is now beating louder than ever.
