Finals blow, and missing out on Austin Psych Fest this weekend does not help. Modern psychedelic music is an ode to the past, to times of free love, exploration, Woodstock and experimentation. The hypnotic tunes packed with distortion and wah-wah pedals are more popular now than ever. Inspired by the showcasing artists at Austin Psych Fest, here is a psychedelic playlist to get your mind off of finals and looking toward a summer of love.
1. Boogarins “Lucifernandis” — Brazilian duo Fernando Almeida and Benke Ferraz championed their psych-pop sound on As Plantas Que Curam while recording in their parents’ basements. “Lucifernandis” is a dazed mesh between Tame Impala and Os Mutantes.
2. Thee Oh Sees “Penetrating Eye” — Thee Oh Sees fans barely had a chance to cry, as the band’s indefinite hiatus did not last long at all. Its new album Drop debuted on Record Store Day, adding to its packed catalog. The song is brutal, yet has an innocent chorus full of la-la-las. Thee Oh Sees will not be at Austin Psych Fest, but Drop alto sax player and resident alt babe Mikal Cronin will be performing.
3. The Black Angels “Sunday Evening” — “What if I told you that everything you know isn’t even really true?” The new EP Clear Lake Forest can easily draw comparisons to The Velvet Underground, which coincidentally has a song called “Sunday Morning.” Perhaps this is part two, the party version?
4. Black Lips “Drive-By Buddy” — The cheeky opening track of their new album, Underneath the Rainbow. The song is very reminiscent of The Monkees with its simple riff, singalong lyrics and use of a stock alarm clock sound.
5. Pink Mountaintops “Sixteen” — Stephen McBean, channeling frontmen like Mick Jagger, sings, “All we want tonight is to fall in love beneath the midnight sky.” The fast-paced single appears on their new album, Get Back, which debuted on Monday. Catch Pink Mountaintops on May 7 at Hotel Congress.
6. Woods “With Light and With Love” — The title track from Woods’ new album pays tribute to the solid jam sessions of ’70s rock ‘n’ roll. Introduced by a scattering guitar scale and offbeat rhythms, the nine-minute song is focused, yet continues to entertain.
7. Holy Wave “Do You Feel It?” — The Austin boys were recently in Tucson playing at KAMP Student Radio and one of the final shows at Topaz. The track from Relax incites immediate head nodding with its syrupy, simple guitar melody. Check out their in-studio on www.kamp.arizona.edu.
@KAMP_Radio
