ORIGAMI ANGEL RELEASES INTROSPECTIVE NEW FULL-LENGTH LP ‘FEELING NOT FOUND’

Washington, D.C.-based band Origami Angel saw a noticeable rise in popularity during the pandemic. It’s no secret why; their introspective lyricism occasionally veers towards pessimism, but it’s quickly brought back to Earth, allowing listeners to share some of that realistic optimism. Most can agree that cloudy days eventually see sunlight, even if a few raindrops make your afternoon commute grumpy. Some guy cuts you off, and you’re forced to rant LiveJournal verses in your car alone. Yet, the traffic subsides, and the sunrays poke out—it’s not so bad. The expertly curated vibes Origami Angel offers to vast audiences expose alternative experts and novices alike to heavier music subgenres simply by tugging at their heartstrings. Their newest record, ‘Feeling Not Found,’ is heavily symbolic of the band’s growth as a group and as individual people.

Starting strong, “Lost Signal” insinuates that one might subject oneself to a more traditional indie soundscape. Origami Angel does this incredibly well; they aren’t lying to anybody by blending sounds but expanding sonic possibilities by integrating several moving parts, creating a cohesive body of work when all is said and done. Once those heavier, distorted guitars kick in—it’s game over. Mosh pit all the way open. Wall: of death. Interludes like “Lost Signal” provide the right balance, ushering in the broader audience and eventually translating into a unique crowd at live shows.

This 14-track LP is packed with goodies, but “Viral” is exceptional. There’s a lot of double meanings here. The title is directly referential to the band’s pandemic-era virality; however, as listeners dig deeper, it is clear there is more to the story. There’s a lot that comes with online fame. Most people can’t handle it mentally since every facet of the online personality’s real life is subjected to scrutiny. It’s perfectly timed, too, as current mainstream viral figures are dealing with similar themes. Songs like “Viral” put things into perspective, empathizing with those who may never experience this. They say, “More money, more problems,” and it’s true, to a degree, especially when attention comes to the cash flow. The “virus” in this song is primarily mental…but was brought on by something far more accurate. Instrumentally, this track is also among the strongest in the record. Origami Angel’s guitar tones and blended layers are always just right.

A few songs later, “Wretched Trajectory” feels like a natural progression from “Viral.” The entire record feels very sequential, with lyrical themes being at the heart of it all. Sonically, this song’s melodic emphasis encourages listeners to feel what is being said. Yet, it also gives “happy music for sad people,” an adage coined by bands who put truly gut-wrenching lyrics to danceable beats. It almost allows one to forget they were crying because they were dancing all the while. “I don’t like where this night is going,” they say, but this track is so catchy, I’ll go along with it anyway. It’s been a long time since a record hit me this heavily; Origami Angel has hooked me with their hooks for the past two record cycles thanks to songs like “Wretched Trajectory.”

“Living Proof” earns Origami Angel full rights into heavier local scenes. The breakdown in this track is absurd (/positive), with tempo changes, key changes, and vibe changes providing an entire experience for listeners. This song alone is a whole sonic journey, and it’s hard to believe it’s only the album's halfway point. Lyrically dense, emotionally evocative, and perfectly composed, “Living Proof” is among my top 3 in the album, followed by “Fruit Wine” and “HM07 Waterfall.” Origami Angel does many things exceptionally well, but moments like “Living Proof” tug at your heart just right.

The big single of the record was “Fruit Wine.” It landed on my spring editorial playlist on Spotify because that hook was stuck in my head for weeks. There is something about the contrast between the vocal tones and the songs’ compositions that works right every time. The band has an honest chemistry that cannot be faked, suggesting that their passion is pushing them forward. They aren’t succumbing to trends or demands, creating their trends along the way. Songs like “Fruit Wine” will create future generations of mini Origami Angels, as we’ve seen with trailblazing, experimental artists like Say Anything or Twenty-One Pilots. Though some future work may become divisive, songs with soul like “Fruit Wine” will remind people why Origami Angel deserves a spot at the top of the game. They may change shape over the years, but the first three records showcase the band’s ethos, with the singles acting as a symbolic spokesperson for newcomers.

"HM07 Waterfall” caught my attention right away thanks to the Pokemon reference. Nerd stuff: An HM is a move you can use to teach Pokemon on your team to make them stronger for battles. Waterfall is given to you towards the end of “Fire Red,” suggesting that the long journey to the Pokemon League was worth it because now you can use these super cool moves to defeat the big boss (the Elite Four for those still following). My child-self would get two high-level Pokemon in my team, like a level 100 Lapras for no good reason, and train them to the point where all they would need is something like HM07 Waterfall. Perhaps I’ve been reading too much into it, thanks to my nerd agenda, but the lyrics in this song suggest that the narrator has learned a lot along the long path that was his journey. As a result, his heightened sense of empathy has granted him his own set of “moves,” carefully placing them in battle so he doesn’t burn bridges in relationships. These songs appear more relatable than Origami Angel even intended upon writing them. These profoundly personal moments translate perfectly, given fine-tuned instrumentalists, crisp vocals, and impeccable melodic composition. This is my favorite song from the album.

Ultimately, this is just the beginning for Origami Angel. Though ‘Feeling Not Found’ is their third studio LP, it’s a gigantic leap from their first efforts and viral moments. If you think about it, Origami Angel started by leaving Pallet Town and now they… never mind. You get it. If they keep going down this road, success is almost guaranteed. The willingness and determination to break sonic barriers by the refusal of genre-based limitations are already putting them five steps ahead of their competition, even if their only competition is themselves. ‘Feeling Not Found’ is among my top 5 favorite records released this year.