If you're complaining that there haven't been enough great Psych Rock records in 2024 (does anyone actually do that?), you clearly haven't paid much attention.
And possibly one of the best has already been released back in January!
And possibly one of the best has already been released back in January!
MOHAMA SAZ - Máquina de Guerra (red/black splatter LP) (2024)
Since I already know and love their 2020 album "Quemar Las naves" it's weird that I waited so long to get the new record of this Spanish trio. But then there's always so much good stuff everywhere... "Máquina de Guerra" however is not an album which could easily be substituted by any other band.
The idea of Mohama Saz' sound isn't completely new. The hype sticker references Goat and King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard (which would be their mictrotonal material), and of course there have been other groups connecting Kraut Rock with orientalisms and Folk. In their case it may reach from eastern Europe on one and as far out as over the Atlantic to South America on the other side, but is mostly focussed on the Mediterranean area, and there especially their home country (the lyrics are in Spanish too), Northern Africa and Turkey.
So naturally there are some strong similarities to Anatolian Rock bands like Altin Gün, especially since bass and drums aren't aided by an electric guitar, but a traditional baglama saz, a constellation I last saw and thoroughly enjoyed when I saw Kara Delik back in March.
No matter if the time is 4/4 or more advanced, the rhythms alone are doing a perfect job of fusing the different poles of influences to a cohesive whole. The melodic vocals, which are always tightly connected to the metric ideas play a pivotal role too, which is obvious from the very beginning of the opner "Yai Yai", which starts with singing right out of the gate.
Catchy and sometimes a little bit eccentric in a way which should also appeal to fans of the sensational "Lampião Rei" album from the Brazilians Papangu, the vocals are another kind of glue holding the worlds on this surpisingly uplifting "War Machine", which understands itself as a force in fighting against "the international reactionary that wants to devour everything" together.
And as great as bands like the aforementioned Swedes Goat and Aussies King Gizzard - or let's also add the French Karkara - are at their spins of this idea, the instinctiveness and authenticity with which Mohama Saz seamlessly interconnect Folk and Psych is on another level, without them having to over-emphasize it. This fusion is not a gimmick, but the very core of the trio's music.
The painted artwork in combination with the limited coloured vinyl (also available in standard black) makes this record a visual beauty, too. Yes, this feels special.
The idea of Mohama Saz' sound isn't completely new. The hype sticker references Goat and King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard (which would be their mictrotonal material), and of course there have been other groups connecting Kraut Rock with orientalisms and Folk. In their case it may reach from eastern Europe on one and as far out as over the Atlantic to South America on the other side, but is mostly focussed on the Mediterranean area, and there especially their home country (the lyrics are in Spanish too), Northern Africa and Turkey.
So naturally there are some strong similarities to Anatolian Rock bands like Altin Gün, especially since bass and drums aren't aided by an electric guitar, but a traditional baglama saz, a constellation I last saw and thoroughly enjoyed when I saw Kara Delik back in March.
No matter if the time is 4/4 or more advanced, the rhythms alone are doing a perfect job of fusing the different poles of influences to a cohesive whole. The melodic vocals, which are always tightly connected to the metric ideas play a pivotal role too, which is obvious from the very beginning of the opner "Yai Yai", which starts with singing right out of the gate.
Catchy and sometimes a little bit eccentric in a way which should also appeal to fans of the sensational "Lampião Rei" album from the Brazilians Papangu, the vocals are another kind of glue holding the worlds on this surpisingly uplifting "War Machine", which understands itself as a force in fighting against "the international reactionary that wants to devour everything" together.
And as great as bands like the aforementioned Swedes Goat and Aussies King Gizzard - or let's also add the French Karkara - are at their spins of this idea, the instinctiveness and authenticity with which Mohama Saz seamlessly interconnect Folk and Psych is on another level, without them having to over-emphasize it. This fusion is not a gimmick, but the very core of the trio's music.
The painted artwork in combination with the limited coloured vinyl (also available in standard black) makes this record a visual beauty, too. Yes, this feels special.
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen