The Everett trio has written the next great A24 movie soundtrack. 'Are Not for Everyone' could accompany a genre-bending, coming-of-age thriller that anyone who has ever felt like an outsider would rush to see. Let’s go through some tracks to see how sound becomes cinematic.

The opening track and first single, “Mariko Aoki Phenomenon,” is a psychedelic tune with lyrics that repeat the song’s title in the form of a tribal mantra. The single sets a musical tone by showcasing the bass not just as a background element, but as a shining factor—without requiring the technical expertise of Les Claypool. Visually, the song feels like the opening of a film, complete with credits, while setting the scene of where the story takes place.

Second up is one of the most unique tracks on the record, “Heavy Metal Attack.” While listening, I imagined a Scott Pilgrim-esque scene where the protagonist is walking through the snow with a melancholy feeling. There is an emotionally provoking force that comes from the tremolo guitar tone and simple yet perfect drum beat. Then, out of nowhere, it transitions into a rhythmically and sonically hardcore punk rock direction to blend thematically with the song’s repeated chorus line.

We’ve all seen films where a character is driving at night through a big city, lights flashing by, a sense of wonder and passion in the air. The song “Tammy Come Down” invokes this exact type of scene. Its solid groove and poppy vocals make it a perfect nighttime cruising tune.

With “East Berlin Sex Party,” you see the same car pull up to a nightclub, and the movie’s characters walk into a 2003-era European club. Blue and pink lights flash, bodies move to the beat, and our pensive protagonist lets loose for the first time. The guitar shines on this track, especially during the instrumental bridge’s remarkable riffage.

Both sonically and lyrically, “Eno” is a homage to proto-indie rock musicians Brian Eno, Bono and David Bowie. With roots linked to albums such as 'Heroes' and 'Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy),' you can hear the evolution that inspired bands such as MGMT and Broken Bells—and now Oliver Elf Army. This is the surrealist moment in the film where our protagonist takes acid and things get trippy. Imagine the setting becomes a paper stop-motion animation, and they travel through space while seeing visions of their love interest.

“Rotten Juniper,” reminiscent of a metal version of Pink Floyd’s 'The Wall,' uses a dark, dynamic buildup in its intro before launching into a heavy riff that hits hard when the volume is cranked. The song highlights the moment where the protagonist stands up for themselves, faces the antagonist and walks into the sunset with the one they love.

The record closes with “Nil-Nil,” a perfect end-credits song. The movie is over, but the album isn’t. You feel sad there isn’t more, yet satisfied with what it gave you.

Oliver Elf Army will play these new tunes at Add-a-Ball on Oct. 9, an anniversary show for band members Mary and Martin Adams, and at Cocoa Legato on Nov. 22.

https://oliverelfarmy.bandcamp.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/oliverelfarmy/?hl=en