Bold statement: a legendary vocalist’s 80-song playlist reveals the exact musical seeds that shaped a new rock project, and the result is both revealing and provocative. Maynard James Keenan and Puscifer have shared the music that fueled their forthcoming album Normal Isn’t, due February 6, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process.
Across Instagram, each member posted their personal listening list from the writing and recording period. Maynard’s selection leans heavily into 1980s goth and new wave, a natural fit for the band’s evolving sound. Expect to hear influences from bands like The Cure, Bauhaus, Depeche Mode, Einstürzende Neubauten, and Killing Joke, among others. The tonal throughline from these tracks can be heard in Puscifer’s recent singles, including Self Evident and Pendulum, with Pendulum signaling a more pronounced goth influence from Maynard.
Mat Mitchell, the group’s multi-instrumentalist and producer, chose a different spectrum—predominantly post-punk acts such as Magazine, Public Image Ltd., and New Order. His playlist was noticeably shorter, yet its impact bleeds into the album’s texture in its sharper, more angular rhythms.
Carina Round contributed a contemporary pop and electronic flavor, drawing from artists like FKA twigs, Fever Ray, Aldous Harding, The Smile, and Bon Iver. Her picks add a modern gloss that intersects with the band’s heavier tendencies to broaden the sonic palette.
Fans didn’t wait long to react. A Spotify community quickly surfaced with user-created playlists compiling Maynard’s selections, and these listenable compilations provide a convenient window into the collaborative soundscape that shaped Normal Isn’t. The full lists from each member are visible within those playlists, alongside the grouped tracks.
Live retreat to the road is on the horizon: Puscifer has announced a Spring 2026 North American tour, beginning in March, to support Normal Isn’t. Tickets are available through the same fan-facing channels that hosted the playlist reveals, offering fans not just the music but a live experience to hear the new material performed.
Follow-up questions to consider: Do these influences align with your expectations for the album’s direction, or do you hear other formative sounds in the music you’ve heard so far? Which of Maynard’s goth and new wave inspirations would you most like to see explored further on future Puscifer projects?
