If you aren’t familiar with Modern Original yet, you might have heard of their predecessor, The Mowgli’s. Modern Original is a new psych-pop duo composed of The Mowgli’s singer/guitarist Josh Hogan and drummer Andy Warren.
“I’m An Alien” was a song that began during the 2020 lockdown. Josh and Andy started writing as a way to capture their feelings, hopes, and the confusing ups and downs of that infamous year. “I’m An Alien” is a song for anyone who has ever felt disconnected from society. The band confides, “It’s ok to feel disconnected, but it’s important to be honest with yourself. This is where the healing begins. The synth lead in the bridge is for the moment when you accept yourself for who you truly are.”
During my teens, I was a huge fan of The Mowgli’s. A trip in 2015 to San Francisco might be the reason their song “San Francisco” is still one of my Spotify most played to this day. I was excited to see what the band had been up to after all the years, so I decided to give a listen to “I’m An Alien” to see what was in store.
Hit with the immediate cosmic guitar riffs and background, this song is catchy, happy, and light. With influences like Tame Impala, Bleachers, and Glass Animals, this style of bouncy pop music seems to be starting a whole new genre of music.
I think this type of psychedelic, synthetic pop-rock is a leap for not just Modern Original, but any artist. It can be hard to master a range of music that isn’t exactly pop, rock, or anything in between. Modern Original really hit the nail on the head with “I’m An Alien”. Beyond the melody, the lyrics meet a soft spot for anyone who has felt like an outsider. It can be hard to be okay with being the odd one out in a crowd; but a song like this instantly erases any worry you might have had.
Next time you are feeling like a stranger to your own crowd, listen to Modern Original’s “I’m An Alien”, realize that other people’s opinions don’t matter, and find the time to heal and accept a stronger, healthier version of yourself.
Modern Original
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Cover image by Cortney Armitage
