Over the years, Brendan Angelides has scored TV shows like Billions and 13 Reasons Why, as well as the video game Assassin’s Creed Mirage. On his new solo album, Can You Feel the End Begin?, the composer and producer scores the American dystopia. The big tell that this is where the album is heading is Angelides’ choice of cover songs, “I’m Afraid of Americans,” David Bowie’s 1997 jam, co-written with Brian Eno and famously remixed by Trent Reznor for added industrial oomph.
Angelides’ version of “I’m Afraid of Americans,” released as a single in late July, plays off the Reznor remix, but with a much-needed dose of bottom-heavy funk. The vocal delivery from Angelides and Serj Tankian gets darker, more twisted and urgent, as the song veers towards its conclusion. It’s a song that has only grown more disturbing with time – at this point, we might all be afraid of Americans – and that’s something Angelides and at Tankian tease out of this cover. In fact, in the video’s YouTube description, Angelides writes, “I keep thinking about what happens to creative communities during authoritarian times. It’s half of what this upcoming album is about.”
Opening track “Can You See the Light Begin?” drops listeners into a world where it feels like a brighter day is just within reach, but then an ominous marching beat kicks in, vocals distort and synths crackle. Soon, you’re caught up in the disorienting stop-and-start techno pulse of “Need to Know.”
Throughout the album, Can You Feel the End Begin? musically mimics a life stuck in the digital hellscape. “Day After Day” juxtaposes an intentionally monotonous vocal line (“day after day after day/we all work/then we play…”) with hospital bleeps and a languid beat that shifts to a frenzied pace just after the two-minute mark. IDK if this is the point, but the sound and structure of the song captures an endless day of scrolling – I mean, working – and then moment when you finally put your phone – I mean, work- down and let loose.
There is plenty of levity on the album too. “134141” (featuring Liesel) is a euphoric, rave-y number. “Pumpkin” is a playful glitch-hop track and “There Is a Rainbow in the Sky That’s Bright, As Bright As Your Soul,” lives up to the title.
What I like best about Can You Feel the End Begin? is what’s probably most unsettling about the album. It’s really unpredictable. Previously released single “Hollow the Crown” vacillates between tense ambience and a digital mosh pit. “Seahorse Song” builds up to what you think will be a roller coaster drop, but instead releases into a cool rock beat. Angelides is really good at taking listeners into unexpected musical corners and he does that frequently throughout the album. It’s a bold move for an artist right now, when every creative person in some way has to deal with platforms that keep audiences locked into algorithmic recommendations. How do you classify any of this?
Closing out Can You Feel the End Begin? is the title track, which is also a variation of the opener. It’s less ominous in sound than “Can You See the Light Begin?” and, in that respect, it’s a song that offers more questions than answers. Maybe I assumed that the “end” was in reference to civilization at the start of the album, but, by it’s conclusion, I’m not so sure. Maybe now we’re talking about the end of authoritarianism or war or the tech oligarchy. I just don’t know and that’s probably the point.
Get Can You Feel the End Begin? by Brendan Angelides.
Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Follow on Instagram or sign up for the weekly, Beatique newsletter for updates on new stories and gigs.
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