The name Abdomen might make you chuckle, but don’t be fooled — this Dutch power trio is no joke when it comes to crafting mind-bending, noisy rock. Since emerging in 2016, Abdomen has carved out a space for themselves in the world of psychedelic rock, blending raw energy, jagged guitar riffs, and hypnotic rhythms. Their music is a heady concoction that balances chaos with precision, tension with release.
Hailing from the Netherlands, Abdomen made their debut with their album Emetophobia six years ago. The album’s title references the fear of vomiting, which hints at the band’s fondness for unconventional ideas and themes. The music on Emetophobia reflected this, with its anxious, jagged soundscapes, which found a small but passionate audience in the underground rock scene.
After a steady climb, the band has recently signed with indie label FatCat Records, known for supporting adventurous and experimental acts. With their sophomore album Yes, I Don’t Know set to drop early next year, Abdomen is poised to take their clangy, psychedelic noise rock to the next level.
The journey to Abdomen’s second album was anything but smooth. The COVID-19 pandemic put the brakes on nearly every facet of the music industry, and Abdomen were no exception. As the world shut down, so too did the usual rhythm of touring, recording, and releasing music. Rather than rush through their second album, the band embraced the chaos. They spent two long years meticulously crafting Yes, I Don’t Know, with the isolation allowing them to focus intensely on every detail.
The album was recorded in Denmark with producer Rasmus Bredvig, whose experience helped refine Abdomen’s noisy, psychedelic tendencies. The extra time in the studio paid off, as the album’s title track, “Yes, I Don’t Know,” demonstrates.
The lead single and title track, “Yes, I Don’t Know,” is a noisy, jagged rocker that reveals the band’s growing command over tension and release. The song is deliberate in its structure, building layers of noise and intensity as it progresses, creating a sonic landscape that feels both chaotic and meticulously controlled. It’s the kind of track that demands your attention, drawing you into its frenzied energy before offering brief moments of release.
Drummer Roel Meijer describes the track as a reflection of what it feels like to be trapped in a seemingly insurmountable struggle. “It’s an overwhelming barrage of noise, confusion, and tension, which seems to intensify as time goes on,” Meijer explains. “It’s the longing for an endpoint, a journey to a place of calm, focus, and normality.”
This theme resonates with the challenges of the last few years, with the pandemic upending lives and creating an environment of uncertainty and chaos. “Yes, I Don’t Know” captures that sense of being caught in the middle of a storm, but also offers a glimmer of hope in its quieter, more reflective moments.
The music video for “Yes, I Don’t Know” continues Abdomen’s tradition of offbeat creativity. The video features the band playing to a crowd of seated mannequins, an eerie and surreal image that feels both fitting for the song’s themes and humorously satirical. Whether it’s a nod to the isolation of the pandemic era or a commentary on the feeling of performing for indifferent audiences, the visual certainly adds another layer to the song’s meaning.
The mannequin audience also seems like practice for a future Washington, DC show — a tongue-in-cheek jab at the perceived apathy of political crowds. Whether intentional or not, the video gives the song an additional layer of sardonic wit, contrasting the heaviness of the music with a lighter, more humorous tone.
With the album slated for release early next year, Abdomen’s sophomore effort promises a deeper dive into the band’s distinctive sound. The tracklist hints at a wide array of sonic explorations, from the aggressive opener “Damage Tool” to the more abstract, possibly experimental tracks like “Fish I” and “Fish II.”
Song titles like “Neurotic,” “Weird Shapes,” and “Das Kapital” suggest that Abdomen will continue to delve into existential, societal, and personal struggles, all while maintaining their biting sense of humor and sharp, unpredictable sound.
As Abdomen prepares to release Yes, I Don’t Know, they’re stepping into the next phase of their career. With their unique blend of noisy psychedelia and post-punk aggression, they’re poised to captivate listeners who are drawn to music that challenges expectations. The album’s title track sets the tone for what looks to be a record that wrestles with chaos, confusion, and ultimately, catharsis.
Here’s the full tracklist:
- Damage Tool
- Numbers
- Dazed
- Weird Shapes
- Neurotic
- Fish I
- Yes, I Don’t Know
- Good Vibes
- Salmon
- Exhale
- Das Kapital
- Fish II
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