Themes surrounding romance, internal warfare, legitimacy, and deceit find their nexus on The Internet's latest, Hive Mind which producer Matt Martians, explained on their Apple Music show as "a group of egos that form one ego in a group of individuals." Similarly, the album brings all of the group member's revelations about love, introspection, authenticity, and deception into one body of work; whether it's through Syd's angelic tone, Steve Lacy's mischievous guitar and synths, Martians quirky production, Christopher Smith's reclusive percussion or Patrick Paige II's quaint bass. As the first complete project without original member Jameel Bruner, the band maintains the same sense of whim and solidity we heard in Ego Death, but in a more developed, absolute stature, developing all themes they previously deliberated. The band is known for mixing jazz, r&b, and hip-hop influences that appeal to everyone from high school students to your own mother; but that's because jazz leads in the bulk of their music, and hip-hop elements are snuck in between measures and lower layers, disclosing the very niche lane they have mastered at this point. The production on the album is generally more aggressive although Syd and Steve soften each blow with their velvety vocal performances, but also delivering hostile lyrics. This aggression and hostility comes from an innocent place as heard through songs like "Bravo" and "Beat Goes On", but not without reflection through the solemnity of "It Gets Better (With Time)" and "Wanna Be."

In terms of color, The Internet has a mix of medium hues being Teen Orange, True Lime, Essence Violet, and True Magenta, illustrating the unyielding yet sensitive nature of the overall album. Teen Orange is a hue of dominant reds and faint yellows, describing the songs that are self examining and critical while still being light-hearted whether it's through production or lyrical content. True Lime represents the general buoyant and resilient songs on the album, as bold a hue as lime is, these titles similarly deflect negativity for the sake of self preservation. Essence Violet gets to the nitty gritty of self reflection and offers emotional vulnerability with a confident bearing, representing songs that inspire self analysis whether its emotive or mental. True Magenta defines self dominance and a composed attitude, depicting the titles with latent dominion and relinquishing emotion, but overt tenderness.

As the first song uniting the group since their 2015 release Ego Death, the lyrics can be taken quite literally. Lead vocalists Syd and Steve chant "They gon' get us to come together" in an optimistically tiresome tone, suggestive of a response to the creative pressure of their next project, given the success of the former. On a general, it suggests the evils of society will force 'the people' to unite. Figuratively, "Come Together" opens the album with tenacious bass and friendly hand claps. The intimate nature of the chord progression establishes an alluring aura around the work.

With an earthy hip-hop approach with folk tones, every element feels isolated, but works together to create a minimal soundscape. The time gap of friends becoming lovers is pigeon-hole narrow, and Syd considers the possibilities on "Wanna Be", as she reflects on a developing relationship. Each sonic element is integral to this song specifically, all sounding isolated and necessarily so; just as each component of a friendship goes under examination before taking the leap. The ostinato at the end of each chorus is a metaphor for plunging into that possibility; possibly ruining a solid friendship, possibly developing a solid friendship into a more meaningful one. As a feeling the majority of listeners can listen to, the tone of the song becomes transactional after listening to the isolation of the musical elements compared to the compassionate candor of the lyrics.

Representing seduction in the most casual and nonchalant way, "Mood" is pressing without being overbearing. Contextualizing a date, and a confidence that only comes with experience, Syd asserts herself as the initiator although the other party asked her out. The leadership role in this scenario falls even further on Syd as she asks "can I get closer?" Not knowing the intentions of a potential partner is a tricky game that The Internet is used to. In this instance, it's as if she just wants to get it over with and find out if her date is seriously into her or not, and that's where the bulk of us fall short. It is better to romanticize the possibility as opposed to getting to the root of the reality of a situation. Here the band suggests, early on, an inquiry of exactly where the relationship is going whether strictly physical, platonic, or romantic.

Their first single, "Roll (Burbank Funk)" is a bit cryptic with the reverb on vocals, and pulsating with the fluctuating bass line. This shade of lime relates to the thunderous nostalgia of the hue. This color is specifically popular with book series Goosebumps, and almost identical to the color of slime; ultimately pulling on the fun yet sinister nostalgia associated with a '90s kids' childhood. With high performance value, it is a song of liberation and release from the register of Lacy’s voice, to Syd’s faint falsetto, they create a harmony of dominant lows and esoteric highs.

"Next Time/Humble Pie" speaks to how timing can make or break a relationship. Whether the situation is temporary or long-term is obsolete in this instance, and Syd simply does not want to miss the possibility of what could come from it. Curiosity takes the lead as she's initially nervous to approach (This back and forth is energy wasted/
But what do I say if I see hesitation?), but she abandons curiosity to meet her opportunity at the door (Next time, I just start by saying hi). Then, as "Humble Pie" eases in, Syd prides herself on hard work and making progress towards her goals, and feels great about it, except the other party is too humble and lowly. Being in your bag is something well-deserved when you've been working hard, but when outside influences negatively effect that confidence, it is counterproductive. The opening line, "Hey Miss Dreamy" suggests that this girl is sleeping on herself, and Syd thinks she needs "a real love", or something she's passionate about to attain it.

Perseverance reigns supreme in "Beat Goes On", both in its lyrical value and song title. It's a nonchalant attitude toward being selfish in a relationship when you're working toward life goals, and your partner is either unsupportive, in the way, or growing in a different direction. A part of Steve still wants to hold on to the situation, but whether his partner is willing to adapt to his lifestyle will either seal or break their deal.

With an omniscient feeling of sympathy and understanding, "It Gets Better (With Time)" empathizes with the depressed and anxious. If a song could ever replicate a giant hug that just will not let go until you feel better, this would be it. Not forgetting the role Big Rube's played in progressive hip-hop & R&B through appearances on Outkast projects, and his famous poem on ATL, and his poem at the end of this song follows suit, speaking positivity and wisdom to listeners. "Your inner strength is the reason you haven't said a word", is striking especially to artists. We often swallow our struggles in an attempt to preserve it as inspiration for the next project, but talking through things is sometimes more therapeutic than working through them.

Their second single "Come Over" has a more sultry approach with a confidently desperate tone. Syd's feelings are innocent on the surface, but the cadence of her voice suggests a sexual maturity that's just as much charming as it is confident. As one of the most intimate tracks on the album, it whisks eagerness and arousal together to illustrate the feeling of temporary denial when emotions and actions state otherwise. Most clearly, this song defines the "You up?" text, and no response. The instrumentation lends itself to red because of the knocking claps and bass with a sensual guitar, while the lyrics are blue, and sullen, both in their delivery and meaning.

"Stay the Night" presents a sulky, sultry, subtle lust, and a sullen blue melody; mixing the highs of red and lows of blue. Syd projects caution onto her partner or interest in this song for the sake of self preservation and recuperation. "You know it ain't safe outside", advocates for general concern, but it's cloaked in selfish intentions (I know you've been through stuff, but/ I wonder if you're too righteous). The light production and airy vocals aren't violet in their nature, however the lyrics and delivery of the vocals are as sensual as violet gets.

Having a genuinely good time in public without drama and distractions is rare for some, especially in this day and age. Everyone is either recording something, or being mixy, or finessing someone and in "La Di Da" The Internet speaks directly to that. The undulating guitar keeps the texture of the song light-hearted while the lyrics express an irritation with socialization when you just came to the party for fun. The nonchalantly confident mood vibrating throughout the entire album is most apparent here. Sonically, the only concern is having a good time, and if anyone is about anything else, "get out my way, talk if you wanna talk."

Phlegmatic in its tone to establish her demeanor, and hard knocking drums to compliment this mood echo in the background. Resentment meets confidence here as a resistance against a failed relationship. "Bravo" suggests a sense of gratitude for a lesson learned and a rather mature understanding that both parties are to blame for the situation itself. Syd's finally figured it out, and it is not what she thought it was, the person that is. The line "This karma thing don't pick and choose" sums up the fate of this relationship, as the truth reveals a liar, the lie completes the karmic cycle of the relationship, and thus empowering the victim. Beginning each verse with "my love" represents the pain that lingers, but the following lines regress into a nonchalant ego, which is natural in a shameful situation like this.

Performed with a calm demeanor toward the effects of a riff in a relationship and emotional readjustment, the feel-good nature of this track deceives the lethargically devastating lyrical content. The echoing insouciant attitude is also extremely apparent in "Look What U Started" as the truth is accepted about Syd's partners attitude, and she's "not gonna take it." Simply put, it is when you're tired of someones shit in a situation and you give up because of how toxic it's gotten.

Creeping in at the very end, "Hold On" is the most delicate song on the album, and not because of the general production, but because of its progression; each element is added and stripped meticulously. The lyrics have a true red, sultry and sensual demeanor, while the instrumentation suggests a lighter, isolated yet bright mood. This song illustrates commitment in the most intimate form as the lyrics move between confessions, professions or romantic suggestions.