“Mammalian Sighing Reflex” (MSR) is a reference to the phenomenon known as “mammalian diving reflex” which occurs when a mammal overrides a bodily response when the body is drowning. Typically, the animal is forced to surface due to an anxiety attack, a life-sustaining action. In humans, however, this reflex can be controlled in humans. 

MSR was released on Nov. 30, 2023 under Wilbur Soot, an English Indie musician, frontman for indie band Lovejoy, and Internet streamer. 

Before starting his band, Soot released his first album, “Your City Gave me Asthma” in 2020, gaining immense popularity. 

I’ve been a long Soot and Lovejoy fan ever since Covid, which says a lot about me. Maybe I, too, want to wallow in my misery. After listening to his new album, I’ve surrounded myself with my English text analysis skills and got to work. 

**Please note that MSR contains references and/or messages about depression, suicide, and harmful topics! 

Amazon Standing Lamp

The first track in Wilbur Soot’s second solo album, “Amazon Standing Lamp” entangles mental issues, loneliness and a complicated mix of emotions. The singer mourns the friends that have left his life because of his tendency to pull others into his sadness. The melody is rather delicate, the plucking of guitar strings contributing to that uncomfy, inevitable reminder that the only light left in his life is the artificial beam from the “Amazon Standing Lamp.” 

Mine/Yours

“Mine/Yours” describes a breaking relationship, where the singer feels as though he isn’t good enough for his lover, as though his lover is obligated to love him. Soot’s voice breaks, but not often, as though he depicts the singer desperately attempting to hold himself together. Accompanied by a melancholic and acoustic tone, this may be the saddest song in the album, right off the bat, too.

Around The Pomegranate

“Around the Pomegranate” provides a glimpse into the singer’s emotions and desires — a yearning for stability. Additionally, the song may revolve around the death of a close friend. We all desire “normalcy” or what we perceive as normal, especially when our own lives are falling downhill. It’s perfectly alright to desire something better, a better transformation, however, acknowledging uncomfortable realities is beneficial for true healing. 

Additionally, as theories go around, this song may be about Soot’s deceased friend, Technoblade, who passed away in June 2022. Many references to his friend crowd the song, such as a visit to California and standing in the summer of June.

I Don’t Think It Will Ever End

The fourth track, “I Don’t Think It Will Ever End” signifies Soot’s struggles with his role as a performer and his desire to speak about his problems. The process described in this track becomes a “figure-eight” with seemingly no end or beginning. Being a spoken track, it brings realness to his music, even if there isn’t a clear instrumental in play. 

Glass Chalet

The fifth track in the album, “Glass Chalet” describes the act of reflecting. The title, “Glass Chalet” means glass house. It’s most likely a reference to the saying, “Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” Typically, you’d say this when talking about the actions of a hypocrite. The singer hopes that when he throws stones, the stones will come back to hit him, therefore, he feels validated for his feelings of self-hatred. 

Melatonin 130

“Melatonin 130” references the inability to cope with problems including stress and anxiety. Despite receiving advice, care, coping strategies, or “melatonin,” it doesn’t work. It doesn’t help that the singer feels trapped by the expectations of society. Surely, the singer is on top of the world, right? With a blossoming music career, why does he feel so melancholic? Themes of self-sabotage are apparent throughout the verses, as if the singer feels that he isn’t worthy of happiness. 

Oh Distant You

“Oh Distant You” is the seventh track in the album. It begins with a long introduction, filled with short conversations and voices throughout, providing a sort of nostalgic feel. The singer reminisces over someone after a breakup. And while he thinks over their relationship, he regrets the way he treated her, referring to himself as “the villain.” The singer spends so much time worrying, that he forgets about the good things in their relationship and the good things in his life. Sounds familiar, right? I’m not crying, I promise. 

Eulogy

Like many of the other songs, “Eulogy” imagines regret and pressure. The singer wishes he could return to simpler times, loving and living for the sake of it. It’s also speculated that the songwriter, Soot, feels pressured from touring around the world and wishes he could live a quieter life. After many failed relationships, whether with others or himself, he’s desperate to make one finally work. 

Dropshipped Cat Shirt

“Dropshipped Cat Shirt” hurt me. The singer describes the same desire for a boring life, accompanied by an escalating bridge that feels more like the singer is yelling at himself. This song also features the appearance of the album title. 

The Median

Soot often does not explain the meaning behind his lyrics, but he also becomes uncomfortable when others misinterpret his words. Although the song, “The Median” only has two lines, it’s similar to his previous album “Your City Gave Me Asthma” (YCGMA) in the way where his songs come from a dark place. He hopes for listeners to give up asking about YCGMA, leaving it and his negative feelings behind. 

Trying Not To Think About It

The singer laments past relationships in “Trying Not To Think About It”, the penultimate track on the album. Contrary to the title, the singer begs for listeners to cherish the good feelings in our lives as it is a sentiment he can’t seem to reach in his. Though in the outro he finds love, he realizes it too late due to his lack of self-esteem. Cry? No. Sob in the shower. 

10 Week Rule

Did you guess that the last track, “10 Week Rule” is about abortion? I didn’t! I thought it was about a niche relationship rule. Medicated abortions are only approved after 10 weeks of pregnancy, though I don’t think the time is very relevant. The message could be taken literally, in the sense where the singer is getting an abortion and dives into the emotions that follow, or metaphorically where the singer wants to get rid of his younger self, along with the personas and feelings throughout this album. 

You can listen to this album on any streaming platform. If you want a good cry, or you’re suffering in any way, shape, or form, give “Mammalisn Sighing Reflex” a listen.