How often is it nowadays that we get a band that absolutely loves to listen to and play music that is heavily inspired by anything to have come out of the 70s? Extremely often, if you weren’t aware. But, it’s far less than often that we get an offering that actually does the original material justice, and I truly believe that when something good does happen that it deserves loads of commendation. I was not expecting Isles of Mars in any capacity, and it’s with their debut effort that they blow and possible expectations right out the fucking water.

I truly was not expecting much when I first dove into this album, going off of an off-hand suggestion by a coworker. Maybe some solid riffs here and there or something halfway trippy at best. That about sums up the rest of the current scene that more often than not feels wholly unoriginal in so many different ways, but that didn’t stop Isles of Mars from coming right out of the woodwork with an album that I have not been able to stop listening to for some time. In no small way, this eponymous record smashes the competition right out of the fucking gate! With just four tracks and loads of expertise to throw around for the entirety of this EP, there isn’t a single wasted note for the entirety of this humble work, but there’s no way to deny that everything Isles of Mars brings to the table here exudes excellence and wonder. Such competence does not come lightly and should not be ignored for a second as this band soars above the rest of the current landscape of the style in such a way that it’s truly astonishing to witness whether it’s on your first listen or seventh spin, and Isles of Mars knows just how to pack their material air-tight such that each successive spin has something more for us to discover and sink our teeth into with each bite being more tantalizing that the last in some form.

I don’t know about you, but 2020 has already proven to be a beyond fruitful year for rock between the new Lowrider, Big Scenic Nowhere, and now Isles of Mars. Everything about this release has something for the classy rock fan of today, and I cannot help but suggest this piece to anyone wanting to hear one of the more interesting debuts that I’ve heard in the last several months.

LISTEN to “Isles of Mars” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Isles of Mars on Facebook here.