Back with their bold and atmospheric third album, Mausoleum, LA-based trio Provoker take Wonderland through the work track-by-track.
There’s a creeping nocturnal cinema running through Mausoleum, the excellent third record from Provoker. Whilst the LA-trio’s prior two full-length albums saw them working within their own sonic vision, this body of music enlists renowned US production heavyweight Kenny Beats for a fresh perspective, bringing out the best of the group’s punk-adjacent anthems.
With songwriting that leans into the complexity of the human condition, instrumental prowess that spans eras in influence but always maintains a sharp and immersive exterior, and drama-fuelled vocal performances throughout, Mausoleum is a broad and bohemian masterclass. Below, Wonderland hear all about its making and meaning in our latest track-by-track.
Listen to the album…
Read the track-by-track…
“SWARM OF FLIES”
A broken heart can change you in many ways, for better or worse. Swarm of flies echos a regressive change where the sufferer retreats inward. Developing a hardened and frightening exterior in hopes to protect the softer inside. Becoming something that repels love In order to never be heart broken again
“TEARS IN THE CLUB”
Humorous yet forlorn. Tears in the club depicts a broken man escaping his reality with his love for dancing and loud music. He is alone and wishes to remain that way, in fact he doesn’t go out to be surrounded by others, they are the only drawback to his dancing form of therapy.
“PRISONER OF LOVE”
Untiring devotion to a fickle lover. Forever soul bonded to someone with complete autonomy over their heart and who they love.
“PANTOMIME”
Capturing the early stages of love and posing the question, is this a descent into madness? Romantic idealisation? Or is the decision to fall in love made with sound mind and carefully considered? The song also explores the need to feel love despite knowing it will end in heartbreak.
“GERMAPHOBE”
While literally, the song is about a germaphobe who refuses to leave his house, it’s also about fear of the unknown, irrational prevention, and isolation.
“ANOTHER BOY”
Realising you might be the problem. Shedding light on the complexities of loving another human being. The shame of experiencing jealousy and watching yourself become the very thing you aim not to be.
“GUN 2 MY HEAD”
A post apocalyptic landscape where the protagonist has been infected with a virus that turns them into a ravening monster. Pleading throughout the song to kill him before he turns. This song at its core is about watching yourself change into something else and not knowing how to stop it.
“INTERLUDE”
A poem reflecting on what a life without trauma and pain would look like. What kind of person would you have been? Would your capacity to love be greater?
“MAUSOLEUM”
A ghost who leaves his resting place to check on his lover from when he was alive. To his disappointment, she moved on.
“SINGING GUN”
A jealous man kills his wife’s other lover. He quickly learns this did not solve any problems, his wife is now heartbroken and drifting even further away from him.
“REPLAY”
A widower struggling to move on from his soulmate’s passing finds a peculiar way to cope with loss; by keeping her rotting corpse in their bed.
