Make America Strange Again | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Make America Strange Again

Young the Giant have a lot to say about immigration

67
Make America Strange Again
Youtube

Indie-rock band, Young the Giant, have just released their new album titled Home of the Strange. While Young the Giant admit that they began writing the album in 2014, before many of the current political nominees even began to cause a fuss, but somehow Young the Giant have managed to make an album that deals with the number one hot button issue in the current political election: immigration.

Front man of the band, Sameer Gahdia, told Rolling Stone, "There's something amazingly beautiful and bizarre and grotesque and great about America that's unlike any other place."

The album features their hit single "Amerika" which plays on the idea of the classic American hero that we all seem to be searching for. More importantly, the sense of foundation that immigrants search for. All five members of Young the Giant are first- generation Americans and based this album off of the idea of establishing the feeling of being American, but holding true and not losing, or as Gahdia puts it "white washing," your heritage and the culture of where your family came from.

The band leaves nothing to the imagination with their dark, honest lyrics. This isn't to say that these songs on the album are sad or depressing. In many ways, it's just the opposite. The lyrics bring a sense of realism to the sometimes high energy, mellow, and childlike tones that the album presents. While it's more than easy to be swept up into the catchy synth and guitar riffs, it's important that listeners actually ponder what the lyrics really point towards.

The second single from the album, "Something to Believe In" topped Alt Nation's charts at number 1 and was widely admired by fans and critics alike. It leaves listeners with a heavy feeling once it's finished, despite it's sing-song nature. With the chorus of the song being belted loud and proud,

"I'll give you something to believe in/burn up a basement full of demons/realize you're a slave to your mind break free."

The band says "We find ourselves searching for our own ethics in between the often-contradictory beliefs of this polarized American Modern Age and those of the romanticized cultures of our forefathers." Eerie, isn't it?

As we approach this upcoming election and new political system, it becomes increasingly apparent and important that we begin to search for deeper connections in the media around us. We do ourselves a disservice when we don't question and interrogate the media that we accept into our lives. Young the Giant have produced an amazing and well-made album, but they've also presented an idea and some personalized insight into an issue that is stumbling America to it's knees. Isn't that worth another, closer listen?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
coffee

It's finally flu season! It's around that time in the school year where everyone on campus is getting sick, especially if they live in the dorms. It's hard to take care of yourself while being sick at school, but here are some coping mechanisms to get you on the path to feeling better!

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

The Battle Between College And My Mental Health

College isn't easy, and I'm afraid I'm not going to make it at the rate my mental health is going.

606
woman sitting on black chair in front of glass-panel window with white curtains
Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

Everyone tells you that college is hard, but they fail to explain why. Sure, classes are hard. Math sucks, and political science can be so boring. But that's not even what's killing me about college. What's killing me about college is my deterioating mental health.

As a college student, I feel as if people don't understand just how exhausted I, and fellow college students are. We have so many things going on, all the time, and sometimes it's hard to explain to people how we feel. Personally...I'm tired. I'm sad. And I'm struggling every single day with my emotions. But the thing is, it hasn't always been this way. I haven't always hated school, so why am I feeling like this now?

Keep Reading...Show less
manager

For the average 20-something, life moves pretty fast. You’ve got classes, friends, relationships, jobs, family, and whatever else we overcommit ourselves with. I probably should have learned to say no to adding more to my schedule a long time ago, but instead here are 11 things that can be more helpful than coffee.

Keep Reading...Show less
Parks And Rec
NBC

Your professor mentions there's a test in a few days and you didn't know about it.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

Resting b***h face. Defined as a person, usually a girl, who naturally looks mean when her face is expressionless, without meaning to. Many of you suffer from this "condition." You are commonly asked what's wrong, when nothing is. What people don't know is that is just your facial expression. Here are some things they wish you knew.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments