Wikipedia

My Head Is an Animal

My Head Is an Animal is the debut studio album by the Icelandic indie rock band Of Monsters and Men,[2] released through Record Records in Iceland on 20 September 2011. After their success, topping the Icelandic charts with their debut single, "Little Talks", the band signed with Universal Music Group and the album was released internationally through Republic Records on 3 April 2012. The title of the album comes from the second line in "Dirty Paws".

My Head Is an Animal
Studio album by
Of Monsters and Men
Released20 September 2011 (In Iceland)
Recorded26–28 March 2011;
9–25 January 2012
StudioStudio Syrland, Vatnagarðar, Reykjavík[1]
Genre
Length59:38
LabelRecord, Republic
ProducerOf Monsters and Men, Aron Arnarsson, Jacquire King
Of Monsters and Men chronology
My Head Is an Animal
(2011)		 Live from Vatnagarðar
(2013)
Icelandic release
Singles from My Head Is an Animal
  1. "Little Talks"
    Released: 20 December 2011
  2. "Dirty Paws"
    Released: 12 April 2012
  3. "Mountain Sound"
    Released: 2 September 2012
  4. "King and Lionheart"
    Released: 3 March 2013

Cover art

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The front of the international release is a photograph that Brynjar's grandfather took of his friend. The original was black and white; Arnar Hilmarsson added the coloring. The back is a family photograph that Ragnar found in his family pictures.[3]

The pictures on the front and back of the Icelandic release depict men dressed for the Icelandic national sport of Glima.

Release and promotion

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Singles

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"Little Talks" was released as the debut single by the band, and the lead single from My Head Is an Animal on 20 December 2011,[4] after it had been released as a promo to radio stations in the US and Europe in July 2011.[5] The single propelled the band to nationwide popularity in the US, and has so far sold a million copies there.[6] The success of the single in the US led to the band's signing with Universal Music Group, and the single, along with a revised version of My Head Is an Animal was released in North America on 3 April 2012.[7] The music video for the song debuted in February 2012.

"Dirty Paws" served as the second single from My Head Is an Animal in the UK and Ireland. It was released on 12 April 2012, in the lead up to the album's re-release in Europe. A promotional single followed in June.[8]

"Six Weeks" was released as a promotional single from the album in the UK and Ireland. It was released as a digital download on 27 August 2012.[9]

"Mountain Sound" was released in the US as the second single from the album, and the fourth overall. Seeing a release worldwide as the follow-up to "Little Talks" as well, it was released on 2 September 2012.[10] A music video to accompany the single was released on 24 September.

Reception

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Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic66/100[11]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarHalf star[12]
Beats Per Minute81%[13]
PasteStarStarStarStarStarStarStarHalf star[14]
Rolling StoneStarStarStar[15]
SputnikmusicStarStarStarStar[16]

The album received positive reviews from music critics. On Metacritic it currently holds a rating of 66/100, signifying generally favourable reviews.[17]

Commercial performance

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The album debuted in the United States at number six on the Billboard 200, selling 55,000 units in its first week alone.[18] This marked the best chart performance for an Icelandic musical artist in U.S. history.[18][19] The previous chart record was held by Björk's Volta, which peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200 in 2009.[18] In January 2014, the band announced via Facebook that the album had achieved platinum certification in the United States.[20] As of June 2015, the album has sold 1.1 million copies in the US.[21]

Track listing

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All songs are credited to Of Monsters and Men, but were actually written by the band's individuals and/or others. The actual writers are listed alongside the tracks.[22]

Original Iceland release
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Dirty Paws"Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, Ragnar Þórhallsson4:26
2."King and Lionheart"Nanna4:35
3."Numb Bears"Ragnar, Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson2:45
4."Sloom"Nanna, Ragnar, Arnar4:42
5."Little Talks"Nanna, Ragnar4:24
6."From Finner"Nanna, Ragnar, Arnar, Brynjar Leifsson3:41
7."Six Weeks"Ragnar, Arnar5:32
8."Love Love Love"Nanna4:02
9."Your Bones"Ragnar4:07
10."Lakehouse"Nanna, Ragnar, Brynjar5:42
11."Yellow Light" (ends at 4:52; hidden song "Sinking Man" starts at 13:04)Ragnar15:45
Total length:59:38
Universal Music Group re-issue
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Dirty Paws" 4:38
2."King and Lionheart" 4:33
3."Mountain Sound"Nanna, Ragnar, Arnar3:35
4."Slow and Steady"Nanna, Ragnar, Arnar, Brynjar, Árni Guðjónsson, Kristján Páll Kristjánsson5:01
5."From Finner" 3:43
6."Little Talks" 4:26
7."Six Weeks" 5:34
8."Love Love Love" 3:58
9."Your Bones" 4:09
10."Sloom" 4:43
11."Lakehouse" 4:35
12."Yellow Light" 4:52
Total length:53:47
Universal Music Group re-issue; iTunes bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
13."Numb Bears"2:44
14."Little Talks" (music video)4:11
Total length:60:42
10th anniversary edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Dirty Paws" 4:38
2."King and Lionheart" (2011 Iceland release version) 4:44
3."Numb Bears" (2011 Iceland release version) 2:45
4."Sloom" 4:44
5."Little Talks" 4:26
6."From Finner" 3:42
7."Six Weeks" 5:32
8."Love Love Love" 3:57
9."Your Bones" 4:07
10."Lakehouse" (2011 Iceland release version) 5:56
11."Yellow Light" 4:53
12."Sinking Man" (2011 Iceland release version)Nanna, Ragnar2:49
13."Phantom"Nanna, Ragnar4:42
14."Sugar in a Bowl"Nanna, Ragnar2:48
Total length:59:50

Personnel

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Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Certifications and sales for My Head Is an Animal
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[64] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[65] Platinum 40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[66] 2× Platinum 160,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[67] Gold 10,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[68] Platinum 200,000‡
Iceland — 27,000[69]
Ireland (IRMA)[70] Gold 7,500^
Italy (FIMI)[71] Gold 25,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[72] 2× Platinum 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[73] Platinum 270,347[74]
United States (RIAA)[75] 2× Platinum 2,000,000[21]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ↑ "Hljóðver Sýrlands | Sýrland". Syrland.is. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  2. ↑ Beckmann, Jim (6 December 2011). "Of Monsters And Men: From Reykjavik With Love", NPR Music. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  3. ↑ "Who is the man on the album cover for MHIAA?". Retrieved 22 July 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ↑ "Of Monsters And Men – Little Talks – Single (2011)". iTunes Archive. Archived from the original on 20 November 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  5. ↑ "Best New Releases, April 3rd, Vol. I – Of Monsters and Men, The Lumineers, Max and the Moon, Lux, Black Mountain, Twin Steps - Indie Rock Cafe – Best new indie rock songs, bands, music, playlists". indierockcafe.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  6. ↑ Grein, Paul (24 October 2012). "Week Ending 21 October 2012. Songs: Maroon 5′s "Nixon Moment"". Yahoo Music. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  7. ↑ "My Head Is an Animal - Of Monsters and Men". iTunes. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  8. ↑ "Of Monsters And Men – Dirty Paws". Of Monsters And Men Discography. Discogs. June 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  9. ↑ "Six Weeks - Single Of Monsters and Men". iTunes. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  10. ↑ "Of Monsters And Men – Mountain Sound". Of Monsters And Men Discography. Discogs. September 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  11. ↑ "Reviews for My Head is an Animal". Metacritic. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  12. ↑ Collar, Matt (10 July 2012). "My Head Is An Animal - Of Monsters And Men; Allmusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  13. ↑ Ubas, Ace (4 April 2012). "Of Monsters And Men My Head Is An Animal". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  14. ↑ Saunders, Hilary (11 April 2012). "Of Monsters And Men: My Head Is An Animal". Paste. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  15. ↑ Rosen, Jody (10 July 2012). "My Head Is An Animal". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  16. ↑ "Of Monsters And Men My Head Is An Animal". Sputnikmusic. 5 April 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  17. ↑ "My Head Is an Animal Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  18. 1 2 3 "More Success for Of Monsters And Men". Iceland Review. 13 April 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  19. ↑ "Thousands Attend Of Monsters And Men Concert". Iceland Review. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  20. ↑ "Of Monsters and Men". Facebook. 14 January 2014.
  21. 1 2 Partridge, Kenneth (15 June 2015). "Of Monsters and Men Sink Their Teeth Into 'Beneath the Skin': Album Review". Billboard. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  22. ↑ "BMI Entry". BMI.[permanent dead link]
  23. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  24. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  25. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  26. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  27. ↑ "Of Monsters And Men Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  28. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  29. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  30. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  31. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  32. ↑ "My Head Is an Animal: Plötulistinn" (in Icelandic). Tonlist. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  33. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Of Monsters And Men". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  34. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  35. ↑ "Charts.nz – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  36. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  37. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 2/9/2012 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  38. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  39. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  40. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is an Animal". Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  41. ↑ "Official Albums Chart on 2/9/2012 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  42. ↑ "Of Monsters And Men Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  43. ↑ "Of Monsters And Men Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  44. ↑ "Of Monsters And Men Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  45. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums 2012". ARIA. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  46. ↑ "ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". ultratop.be.
  47. ↑ "Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  48. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "Dutch Charts - dutchcharts.nl". www.dutchcharts.nl.
  49. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  50. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2012". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  51. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  52. ↑ "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  53. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums 2013". www.aria.com.au.
  54. ↑ "Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  55. ↑ "Lorde topped by Sol3 Mio in album charts". The New Zealand Herald. 25 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  56. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2013". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  57. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  58. ↑ "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  59. ↑ "2014 Year End Charts - Top Billboard Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  60. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2016" (in Icelandic). Plötutíóindi. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  61. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Plötur – 2018" (in Icelandic). Plötutíóindi. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  62. ↑ "2019 ARIA End of Decade Albums Chart". January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  63. ↑ "Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  64. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2016 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  65. ↑ "Brazilian album certifications – Of Monsters and Men – My Head Is an Animal" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  66. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Of Monsters and Men – My Head Is an Animal". Music Canada.
  67. ↑ "Danish album certifications – Of Monsters and Men – My Head Is an Animal". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  68. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Of Monsters and Men; 'My Head Is an Animal')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  69. ↑ "Hafa selt milljón eintök í Bandaríkjunum". Víkurfréttir (in Icelandic). 11 January 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  70. ↑ "The Irish Charts - 2012 Certification Awards - Gold". Irish Recorded Music Association.
  71. ↑ "Italian album certifications – Of Monsters and Men – My Head Is an Animal" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana.
  72. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Of Monsters and Men – My Head Is an Animal". Radioscope. Retrieved 8 May 2026. Type My Head Is an Animal in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  73. ↑ "British album certifications – Of Monsters and Men – My Head Is an Animal". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 December 2022. Select albums in the Formats field. Type My Head Is an Animal Of Monsters and Men in the "Search:" field.
  74. ↑ Jones, Alan (15 June 2015). "Official Charts Analysis: Muse's Drones fly to No.1 on sales of 72,863". Music Week. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  75. ↑ "American album certifications – Of Monsters and Men – My Head Is an Animal". Recording Industry Association of America.
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