If ZABA was a weird and lovable new friend, How to Be a Human Being exploits that familiarity to test some new boundaries, and the result is delightfully entertaining.
Although elements remain, the core of humanity and character drive this collection to an equally intriguing effect and leaves a far more immediate impression.
How to Be a Human Being is arguably yet more effervescent than its predecessor.
It sufficiently moves their sound on from Zaba, while also successfully capturing the multifaceted nature of man.
Perhaps its contemporary qualities will seem as fleeting as its subjects’ visits in five year’s time, but Zaba’s follow up is still an inventively produced, impishly executed triumph.
How to Be a Human Being's sense of wonder and joie de vivre feels as instructive to Glass Animals as their listeners, and their willingness to try anything results in some truly great moments.
Glass Animals should definitely continue tinkering with their sound; they just haven’t yet earnt the right to full reinvention yet.
HTBAHB's choose-your-own-character theme is filled with perpetual slackers living delinquent lives, sad lovers and drug-hazed memories, which is interesting at first but midway through begins to sound like the unreliable accounts of a single character.
59 -> 85
big dumb elitimesfour goes from thinking an album is ok to loving it pt. 29194848
An underrated indie-pop masterpiece of the 2010’s. On How To Be A Human Being, Glass Animals attempt to put together a picture of the vast scope of humanity, through multiple vignettes of human life. Somewhere out there, a mother is missing her son (“Youth”), a couple is struggling with their relationship (“Pork Soda”) and someone is grieving an old friend who passed away (“Agnes”).
The band create a sound which pulls from trip-hop, hip-hop and world ... read more
(Analbumaday Day 127)
Glass Animals have had an above average indie discography. Certainly nothing incredible, but they’ve made a name for themself in the industry with some pretty fun tunes. How To Be A Human Being demonstrates how the band use catchy melodies and strong production, along with unique vocals to create some groovy results! Unfortunately I do find a few of these tracks to lack emotion or feel quite underwhelming, which is a lot of the reason behind the lower rating. When ... read more
[ALBUM SWAP w/ LogicBeDamned] Ima be real, from the beginning of this album I found it to be really unlikeable in a lot of ways. Before the start of the second track, I was already finding both the vocals and beats to be really annoying. Sure, it mixed things up throughout the album, but barely anything here caught me eye at all. Also the prelude is Fitter Happier but worse, I guess? The only part of this album I kinda liked was Take a Slice, which was actually pretty catchy and didn't fall ... read more
The second album from glass animals. I must say that I think this is my favorite of their albums so far and I got the most enjoyment and replayable songs out of this. I’m hoping it grows on me a decent amount but for starters I did really enjoy this album.
Track breakdown:
Life itself: 9.5/10
Youth: 8.7/10
Season 2 episode 3: 7.5/10
Pork soda: 8.5/10
Mama’s gun: 7.5/10
Came shuga: 7.5/10
Premade sandwiches: NR
The other side of paradise: 9/10
Take a slice: 7/10
Poplar ... read more
every song on this album works so well together synchronised. for those who haven't listened to the album you will defiantly recognise songs from it. the highlights are life itself, the other side of paradise and take a slice. but all so amazing defiantly their best. however I understand its not for everyone and respect that but I love it so.
1 | Life Itself 4:41 | 89 |
2 | Youth 3:50 | 87 |
3 | Season 2 Episode 3 4:03 | 78 |
4 | Pork Soda 4:13 | 84 |
5 | Mama's Gun 4:26 | 83 |
6 | Cane Shuga 3:16 | 74 |
7 | [Premade Sandwiches] 0:36 | 50 |
8 | The Other Side of Paradise 5:20 | 89 |
9 | Take a Slice 3:49 | 83 |
10 | Poplar St. 4:22 | 83 |
11 | Agnes 4:31 | 84 |
#7 | / | The Independent |
#17 | / | Dork |
#24 | / | LA Music Blog |
#25 | / | Under the Radar |
#29 | / | Earbuddy |
#32 | / | Rough Trade |
#35 | / | NME |
#36 | / | The Skinny |
#48 | / | Variance |
#49 | / | The Line of Best Fit |