Deftones’ Private Music and Why It’s Great
Deftones’ private music, released August 22nd, 2025, was a surprise to most Deftones die-hards. With their previous album being OHMS from 2020, many fans were overjoyed with the sudden drop of their single entitled “my mind is a mountain.” The song was explosive, reminding many fans of the unique and individualized sound that made Deftones a staple in 90s and early 2000s culture. Although always being incredibly adored by fans, Deftones has made a resurgence since the rise of TikTok, hitting record numbers once again once in 2022. Since then, the band has once again exploded in popularity, making fans increasingly anticipate their newest release.
Much like the rest of their discography, the album is full of melancholy, shoegaze-y heavy metal, with an emphasis on repetition in their lyricism. Many of their stanzas consist of short, simple phrases, in which they are repeated throughout most of the song with increasing volume and passion. Songs like “locked club” and “milk of the madonna” are reminiscent of the early 2000s alternative metal party scene, full of incredible beats and energetic instrumentals. However, attached are heart-crushing lyrics. There are multiple themes present throughout the album, such as rebirth, internal transformation, and the reality of nature. Metaphoric language is found scattered throughout, mostly consisting of storms, water, and space. One of the most evident songs relating to these themes is “departing the body”, which talks of how the narrator sees the possibility of a new, brighter state of consciousness by morning.
However, a favorite on the album for me has to be “~metal dream”. It feels incredibly nostalgic yet elevated with a modern twist. Chino Moreno’s voice feels like a smooth drag of a cigarette, combined with the intense instrumentals of Stephen Carpenter and Abe Cunningham. If you need something heavy yet somehow soothing for your playlist, private music is the way to go.
