Mastering Indie Folk Dynamics
"Sloom" is a gem from Of Monsters and Men's debut album, My Head Is an Animal. It showcases the band's signature male-female interplay and emotive storytelling. The challenge here isn't extreme range, but rather the subtle control of dynamics and the ability to build energy from a whisper to a roar.
Whether you are singing the lead male part (Ragnar) or the female harmonies (Nanna), the key to this song is maintaining an open throat even during the quietest parts to ensure your pitch remains stable.
AI Coach Tip: Breath Support
In the verses, singers often run out of air trying to sound "intimate." Use diaphragmatic support even when singing softly. This prevents the vocal fry from taking over and keeps your tone clear.
Phase 1: The Verses (Storytelling)
The song begins with acoustic simplicity. The melody sits comfortably in the mid-range. The goal here is conversational phrasing. Avoid over-singing.
The Trap: Because the verses are quiet, it is easy to go flat at the ends of phrases. Keep the energy flowing through the very last syllable of lines like "The sea said goodbye to the shore."
Phase 2: The Chorus (The Anthem)
The energy lifts significantly here. The lyrics "So I love..." should be sung with a brighter, more forward placement. You want to achieve that "indie yell" quality without actually yelling and straining your vocal cords.
- Vowel Shapes: Keep your vowels tall and open. A horizontal mouth shape will thin out your sound.
- Volume: Increase volume by engaging your core, not by squeezing your throat.
- Harmonies: If you are singing the harmony line, ensure you are blending volume-wise with the lead rather than overpowering it.
Phase 3: The Bridge and Build-up
The repetition of "1, 2, 3, 4" serves as a rhythmic anchor. This section requires rhythmic precision. The final chorus is the emotional peak of the song—give it your full chest resonance here before fading out for the ending.
Frequently Asked Questions
The vocal melody reaches up to an E5 for the female part and generally stays below F#4 for the male part, making it very accessible.
Not necessarily. While it is recorded as a duet, the Singing Coach AI app allows you to sing either the lead or harmony track solo against the backing.
Relax your jaw and focus on a natural, almost spoken tone in the verses. Avoid heavy vibrato; keep the tone relatively straight.
