Portugal. The Man
In the Mountain, In the Clouds
Call it glam, psychedelic, indie, experimental, or art rock, Portugal. The Man is a dreamy and composed group that brings a strong artistic vibe to their new album, In the Mountain, In the Clouds. Frontman, John Gourley has a strong voice that strains pleasantly in falsetto and sounds confident when belting through the band’s many anthem-like songs. On the whole, Portugal. The Man has a universally empowering sound, heard best in their skilled instrumentals and clever lyrics. Metallic-sounding guitars and swelling beats on drums and synthesizers accompany the inspiring words of “So American” (“He may not be born of this land / but he was born of this world”). Chanting and echoing choruses run rampant on In the Mountains, making this occasionally psychedelic-sounding album feel not only relatable, but at times nearly nostalgic. Here, Portugal succeeds in crafting a new and artfully arranged way to enjoy the rock anthem.
