A supernatural spin on the pandemic

The Band The Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum, a product of Micheal C. Hall (Dexter, Six Feet Under), released their newest album, THANKS FOR COMING. The trio is composed of musically renowned stars such as Peter Yanowitz of The Wallflowers and Morningwood and Matthew Katz Bohen of Blondie. The trio carries an ’80s inspired wave and was formed, very recently, in 2019. Their style has been creatively referred to as “Gothadelic Rocktronic.”

Like many albums of this time, THANKS FOR COMING was written during the pandemic and consequently carries nasty and menacing undertones. Dystopian themes are appropriately incorporated in the collection, appearing as tunes such as “Nevertheless,” lyrics including “When you wake up, the program will initiate… stop resisting.” These lyrics are accompanied by robotic synths and sci-fi sounds. The collection begins with the beautiful, short and sweet “Intro” filled with mesmerizing, soft synths that are gently introduced through an increasing volume that seems to end all too abruptly, leaving people wanting more. This introduction seems out of place with the rest of the collection.

Once this angelic piece ends, the psychedelic and haunting theme seeps to the surface. “Bombed Out Sites” gently dips the listener’s toes into the water with mellow drum beats and vocals laced with modification. “Thanks for Coming,” the piece that holds the album’s title, begins more unkindly with immediate dark and ambient instrumentals shortly followed by daunting lyrics. “Too Cool to Care” follows with a clear storyline and clear rock-leaning, while “Armageddon Suite” presents a 2000s Coldplay impression.

“Moodarama” is glamorous and experimental, much like “Tomorrow’s Screams” and “Cruel World.” “Eat an Eraser” hooks the listener with its addictive introductory beat. This piece is almost psychedelic, speaking of a hypothetical eraser that has the ability to wipe away one’s worries and grim memories. “The Deeper Down” resembles music from the Netflix series Stranger Things, its eerie synths and vocals feel straight out of the ’80s. “Angela Peacock” is a youthful rock song pertaining to the rock part of their given genre. The atmospheric and dreamlike piece “Airhead” takes its own interpretation of rock, adding more synthesizer action to the genre while keeping the vocal style the same, creating a successfully dynamic piece. 

The trio is undoubtedly talented. Each member has had the necessary experience to create an experimental and brooding album that is simultaneously nostalgic and unfamiliar. THANKS FOR COMING is certainly fruitful and outstanding in its inspired themes.