If I don’t like a product, I won’t feature it – simple as that. However, as always, all views expressed on Sound Matters are my own. To truly understand how great this album is, you’ll have to take the journey for yourself.įull disclosure, VMP did send me this package to review. The moments I’ve pulled out here only scratch the surface. By the track’s end, there is a distinct Acid House vibe, which only continues to showcase the album’s eclectic blend of genres. Analog and digital electronic textures are masterfully crafted here by the group’s electro-wizard, Nicolas Jaar. Yet, there’s a hypnotic quality that soon sets in as the track takes on a distinct character only Darkside could deliver with particular focus on Dave Harrington’s arpeggiated guitar.įans of the blues will love the riff-driven track, Paper Trails, which easily conjures up the smokey atmosphere of a late-night blues club, with just enough hints of space rock to keep us rooted in the ambient psychedelic foundations of this record.įor some serious Radiohead Kid A vibes, try the driving electric piano tones of ‘Freak, Go Home’. Right from the opening track, Golden Arrow, you know you’re in for a treat there are definite shades of Brian Eno Apollo meets Pink Floyd’s Welcome to the Machine. Close your eyes and embrace as this thickly layered, performance-driven album transports you into the stratosphere. Listening to Psychic is a journey best enjoyed in an atmospherically lit room.
Yet, on Psychic, the organic textures act like a glue that binds and focuses the more chaotic spontaneity of the album’s electronic elements. It’s the most exciting album I’ve heard in years, with distinct Echos of Pink Floyd and Radiohead combined with flavors of Ambient greats, such as Brian Eno and Gigi Masin.īlending the hypnotic and glitchy textures of synths, sequencers, and programmed drums with organic instruments is decidedly difficult to achieve. Psychic is a genre-defying mind-bender that successfully blends the unlikely bedfellows of ambient, electronica, and psychedelia with traditional blues, jazz, and rock. The album as an art form, yet again, remains the focus here it’ll be interesting to see what other prints arrive with future Essentials releases and how VMP utilizes these canvases as a means of artistic expression. Alternatively, you can keep the print as a collector’s piece. Those with the wall space could frame these (although you may need a custom frame size). Advertisementsįinally, behind the outer sleeve is our custom art print, which reflects the album artwork. Pressed on ‘crystal ball’ vinyl for a stunning marbled effect, I defy anyone to say these don’t look super cool next to the album art.Ĭolored vinyl divides opinion among the vinyl community, of course, but in my experience, the quality of colored vinyl pressing has come a long way in recent years. Inside the jacket, we have the liner notes booklet explaining the story behind this record, and of course, both LPs, which are the real showstoppers in this entire package. The print quality is high and feels like a premium release. The album cover is a beautiful crystal ball effect that catches the light. Safe to say, it’s best to have an open mind when joining the Essentials club however, there will always be times when a record just isn’t a good fit. The original and most popular is their Essentials Record of the Month subscription, which covers an eclectic mix of ‘essential’ albums across a wide variety of genres. Quite simply, members receive a specially curated and pressed record based on their genre preference. And, what better way to experience the whole package than via the medium of music on vinyl. All aspects should be regarded as an art form, from the songwriting and production to the album artwork and manufacturing. I think that’s such a powerful message behind a record club, and it’s a sentiment very close to my heart as the Editor of Sound Matters. In their own words, “VMP seeks to experience music more deeply, and we believe in the power of the album as an art form.” Every great album has a story that’s the mantra touted from the home page of.
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