High-Energy Indie Folk Precision
From the deluxe edition of My Head Is an Animal, "Numb Bears" is a short, sharp burst of energy typical of Of Monsters and Men. Unlike their sweeping ballads, this track relies on urgency, forward momentum, and rapid-fire lyricism. It is less about vocal gymnastics and more about rhythmic accuracy and breath support.
The song features the band's signature male-female interplay, but the driving force comes from the relentless tempo. To sing this well, you need to articulate clearly at high speed without losing the tone of your voice.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Diction
Because the lyrics ("I'm an intricate atom") come so quickly, many singers slur words together. Our analysis shows that exaggerating consonant sounds helps keep the timing tight and improves your score.
Phase 1: The Rapid Verse
The song starts immediately with a driving beat. The vocal line stays relatively centered in a comfortable mid-range, but the challenge is the phrasing. There is very little space to breathe between lines like "I don't like fighting, I don't like fighting."
The Strategy: Plan your breaths. Take quick, deep "sips" of air rather than long breaths. Keep your jaw relaxed to allow for faster articulation.
Phase 2: The Build-Up
As the song progresses, the intensity grows. The line "Thank you for the good times" needs to be sung with a mix of gratitude and frantic energy. The volume should increase here, but be careful not to shout.
- Rhythmic Precision: Stick exactly to the beat. Dragging behind makes the song feel sluggish.
- Tone: Keep the sound bright and in the "mask" (forward placement) to cut through the heavy percussion.
Phase 3: The Chorus Energy
The hook is repetitive and infectious. It sits higher in the chest register. The challenge here is maintaining pitch stability while jumping around or moving, which the song naturally makes you want to do.
Focus on core support. Engage your abdominal muscles on the accents of the beat to give the vocals punch without straining your throat.
Frequently Asked Questions
The lead vocal melody generally peaks around C5, though harmonies can go higher. It stays mostly in a comfortable chest/mix range.
Yes. The pitch range is very accessible. The main difficulty is the speed and rhythm, making it a great song for practicing diction.
Practice the song at 0.75x speed in the Singing Coach AI app. Mark exactly where you will breathe, and stick to that pattern when you speed it back up.
