The British IBM - Psychopaths Dream in Black and White (2015)

Psychopaths Dream in Black and White is the second album from The British IBM, a band who you may not have heard of, but are a band who I cannot recommend enough. I remember being bowled over by their debut album which was released in 2012, so when this second album arrived in the inbox I was incredibly excited to give it a listen.

Please don’t get that excitement confused with thinking this is a band that are going to change the world because that is not going to happen, and I don’t want to raise your expectations. However please feel free to interpret that excitement to expect an album that will make you reflect upon life, feel warm inside, feel comfortable and happy with what you have and, if you are able to get yourself to that position, then you will fall deeply in love with Psychopaths Dream in Black and White.

‘All The Time’ opens the album with a gorgeous melody and dreamy vocals that will instantly melt your heart. ‘Hey Mikie’ seems on the surface quite joyful and cheery until you start digesting the lyrics “your arrogance is virtuous in time, you’re surrounded by the yes men you deserve”. ‘Just Get By’ is both beautiful and inspiring at the same time, the melodies will make you feel happy with your life and the lyrics will make you stop and think “If you try to just get by, you’d only waste your life”.

The album continues to give us many highlights and thought-provoking moments including ‘Tread Carefully’ which can lure you into a false sense of security with the gentle and adorable lyrics which seem to hide a more sinister meaning “Tread carefully, because I’m more capable than you”. ‘Nothing’ introduces slightly darker and more compelling sounds that manage to intrigue and captivate the listener. ‘What More Can I Say’ is a perfectly arranged song which allows the strings to provide the perfect companion to the contemplative lyrics “Life wasn’t meant to be like this, your hopes and dreams shattered, in the end it doesn’t matter”.

If, as I am sure you are, a fan and a believer in music then you can’t let Psychopaths Dream in Black and White pass you by. It simply is a beautiful album that you need to wrap your ears around.