Amidst all the new international releases that set the year to a good start, iDKHOW graces all streaming platforms with their brand new studio album, GLOOM DIVISION.
I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, shortened to iDKHOW or IDKHBTFM, was formed in 2016 by singer and songwriter Dallon Weekes, who is mostly known for his involvement in Panic! At The Disco as their bassist, songwriter, and back-up vocalist. Before that, Weekes was a part of musical project The Brobecks in the early 2000s, which the song ‘Love At First Sight’ hailed from.
If you loved their first song Modern Day Cain, their EP 1981 Extended Play featuring songs such as ‘Choke’ and ‘Bleed Magic’, or their debut studio album Razzmatazz that includes ‘Leave Me Alone’ and ‘New Invention’, iDKHOW’s sophomore studio album GLOOM DIVISION, released on 23rd of February of this year, has similar themes of retro pop and the 70s era and is definitely worth a listen.
‘WHAT LOVE?’, the album’s first single, was a great surprise for the expectant fans. The sound was different, yet the same; the words were new but expected from a band such as iDKHOW. But, the album’s opening track ‘DOWNSIDE’ set the absolute tone for the entire record. A new, yet familiar tune with a memorable chorus has a high chance of winning over old and new audiences to keep listening.
Weekes explored a new approach to what the public comes to know about iDKHOW’s sound. To simply put it, GLOOM DIVISION can be compared to Razzmatazz but in a completely different font and a couple songs in new spunky tunes. He also opened up about neurodivergence and how it greatly influenced the new record, which dedicated fans were appreciative for, coming from the same spectrum.
GLOOM DIVISION comprises of notable tracks such as ‘INFATUATION’, ‘SIXFT’, ‘KISS & TELL’, and what was previously a song from Weekes’ old, if not the first (publicly) musical project The Brobecks, ‘A LETTER’ which was revived with finesse and much needed revisions to spice up the old track. iDKHOW also collaborated with alternative/indie artist Will Joseph Cook on ‘SUNNYSIDE’.
In an interview with Rock Sound, Weekes stated that it was essential for himself to like the songs he puts out before anything else, which gives us the gist that he wasn’t completely conscious of critic’s reviews. Dallon Weekes, known for his musical genius, catchy Christmas songs, and his take on bass guitars being better than the usual guitars, we only expect a bright future ahead for iDKHOW.
GLOOM DIVISION, the new species of sound from I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, is available on all streaming platforms! “If you don’t like it the first time, listen to it a second time” are the exact words from Dallon Weekes while talking to fans before the premiere of the record’s first music video premiere on YouTube.
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About the Author
Kate Clarice Lee is a psychology major in Ateneo de Naga University with a knack for music and writing. She takes interest in playing guitar, poetry, creative writing, and lyrics that—subjectively—hit close to home. Kate mostly enjoys indie, alternative, pop & punk rock music.
