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Nathan and I are ready to kick off our summer time fun in the next day or so and we need some solid rock jams to power us through the season. Thankfully I’ve just been sent this solid new rocker called “Six Weeks” from Rome based band Crimen. It certainly has a psych rock vibe to it with powerful drums, fuzzy as hell guitars, and a superbly distorted bass riff. Give me more of this please.
Crimen will release Silent Animals on June 29th via Fuzz Club.
Today, news made its way from Australia that Beaches will be releasing their new double album, Second of Spring; accompanying the announcement was this driving swirl of psych rock that should definitely alert you to your next favorite act. From the get go the band pushes the heavy pace, waiting for the vocals to carefully enter the picture. I like how the focus is on the song’s emotive powers; the lyrics are good and well, but they almost seem an afterthought as you hear stabbing electronic beats and varying layers of guitars drag you into your speakers. Look for the new record to hit on September 8th via Chapter Music.
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What do you get when you take psych and blend it with elements of late 90s indie rock? I think your answer is here with Battlehooch and the band’s new single. It’s like this weird blend of Grandaddy and Muse (maybe even Rooney) mashed up together, then drizzled with a little dosage of psychedelic heritage via harmonicaflourishes here and there. It might possibly be the most accessible psychedelic-tinted track. File this track as another feature in the band’s growing repertoire of well-crafted hits for their clamoring fans.
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Feel like I’ve moved away from psych music for a little bit, but this hazy little number by The Wytches has me circling back, carefully, as that genre’s a huge trap. I’m really attracted to the vocals in the first half of this tune; they have this soulful feel to them that reminds me of young J. Spaceman before it turns into a painful growl in your headphones. Having wrapped up their new album, All Your Happy Life, they’ve settled upon a release date of September 30th with Heavenly Records. Looking forward to seeing what unfolds within its confines.
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Australian based psych rockers Flyying Colours just dropped this new video and single this morning and I had to share the goodness with you. This one isof course a psych rock song equal to tout itself as one of the best of the current indie psych rock craze. On top of that though, the band offers a little bit of straight up hard rock here too as the verses drop into the heavy chorus. Rock on Wayne.
Flyying Colours will see the release of their debut LP Mindfullness on September 23rd via Club AC30.
[youtube https://youtu.be/4TQHE-YpLEo]
Only about a month ago we shared with you the first single from Nashville based Ranch Ghost and today I’m ready to share another impressive song. This one is entitled “Black Caboose” and features more of that sweet psych inspired sound we already loved about the band. I can actually picture the guys playing this song live in my mindwith these snarling vocals and fist pumping punk themes underneath. I dig.
Lookin will be out on July 1st via Rough Beast Records.
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I could pretend I knew something about Denver based pop band Flaural prior to today, but I’d be lying through my teeth. I will however be giving the band my attention after hearing this bright new single entitled “Nonnie”. I’m reminded of bands like Yeasayer or even our old friends Suckers with a bit more of that psych vibe as the driving force. Consider me a fan starting right now.
Flaural will release their new EPOver Imaginary Cigaretteson March 12th.
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After some albums where I felt like A Place to Bury Strangers hit some middling ground, they finally nailed it, for me anyways. The noisy propulsion of this track is remarkable, driving the song forward while the shadow of the vocals haunt you from the back of the mix. It’s definitely a spin on modern psych music, utilizing the genres combination of noise juxtaposed to the softness, or subdued quality of the vocals, as is the case here. This should make the release of the band’s new album, Transfixation, something to behold; it’s release date is set for February 17th courtesy of Dead Oceans.
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Toronto based band INVASIONS is a group that I’ve posted about on multiple occasions here on this website. Today I’m pleased to share with you news that the band have just recently released their new EP No Darkness on bandcamp. You can get your hands on that for the low low price of only $3 or you can stream the whole thing below. I think most will find that the psych themed pop music being created here is a real thing of beauty. Each song can be dark at times, but then seem to transition seamlessly into some brighter, breezier moments that make this EP worthy of repeat listens.
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The opening moments of Sun Structures will set the definitive tone for Temples, immediately making a nod to the storied past of psychedelic music. But, while that genre has gradually grown stale, this record still illustrates that there are a few gems left to be eked out of the staple sound.
When I put on “Shelter Song,” my ears recoiled a bit; that guitar sound needs to be retired for a bit. But, as the song unfolds there’s some great harmonized pop moments unleashed on the listener. It’s done in a casual fashion too, illustrating the reserved cool that permeates through every inch of Sun Structures. And it doesn’t take too long for the record to move into one of its many hits, “Sun Structures.” This song, like the album, takes its time to build you up; my favorite thing about these collection of songs is that they come to you slow and relaxed, as if the band expected you to really indulge in the listening experience.
And while I’ve clearly lumped Temples into a corner, there are songs that demonstrate that the band have one foot in the past and one stepping into a new realm. The one-two punch of “Keep in the Dark” and “Mesmerise” provide some energetic spins on the genre. The former opens with a light-hearted stomp that includes a bit of fuzzed out riffs near the end; there’s also this explosive beauty that bursts forth through the lyrics. The latter track is all pop. It’s tucked nicely in a warm cocoon of psychedelic vibes, but it’s the perfect place for such a track, giving you a bit of palate cleanser to allow you to digest the rest of this listen.
What has amazed me most about listening to Sun Structures is that despite the length of the songs, they never wear you down. Even on a song like “Sand Dance,” there’s so much to offer aside from what you’re initially being offered. On this tune you’ll find a very classic psych sound, but then there’s this spaced out jam that unfolds to close out the track. The band is not just interested in finite sounds defining what they’re doing; it’s quite refreshing. And, the closing number, “Fragment’s Light,” is an airy closing touch, which again allows you to reflect on everything you’ve heard before.
My advice to you when listening to Sun Structures is to set aside some time to devote to listening to it as a whole. I understand that in today’s world we often don’t have the time, but if you rush your listen, as I might have done on the first few plays, you’ll miss out on a very cohesive release that seems to be arranged perfectly. It’s easy to lump Temples in with the masses of psych bands riding the waves of a tired trend, but if anything, this release shows there’s far more laying in wait, if you’ll only take a little time.
