Psych rock has seen dozens of different forms over the decades as the sound is constantly being stretched into new realms while simultaneously being redone time and again to really show us just how malleable it is. Blending it with alternative rock is not something that has crossed my mind before, but it sounds interesting enough which is what really prompted me to dive right into what Turtle Skull has crafted here. Interestingly, it’s much of the same that we’ve heard before but with more than enough personality to throw around at any given time.

When I first dipped my toe into this work, I honestly thought that the concoction that was going to be shown was something where the psychedelia was mild at best with there being much more of an alternative presence in the style that may or may not gel well with the psychedelic pieces that Turtle Skull was to introduce. Instead, “Monoliths” gives us plenty of tracks where the psychedelia is more than abundant, the heaviness is there is surprising amounts, and the alt elements are impressively tasteful that add a great amount of flavor to this already delicious mix that instantly propels Turtle Skull to be an act more unique that plenty other contemporaries psych acts that populate the world. With an alt-rock attitude tied together with the laid back approach of almost all psychedelia as well as just the right amount of heaviness brought to the mix that’s extremely satisfying, there’s not much done within the confines of “Monoliths” that doesn’t boast a high level of craftsmanship with virtually every inch of this work having something interesting to call its own. Turtle Skull manages to appeal to many different audiences in one fell stroke that helps elevate “Monoliths” to a creation that I can’t help but recommend to any and all purveyors of everything steeped in psychedelia, for I can practically guarantee that Turtle Skull will effortlessly scratch that itch for music like this that you never knew you had.

It’s every now and then that the world of psychedelics always gives me a little bit of a surprising whether it be something milder or something that really blows my mind, and it’s with “Monoliths” that I’ve gotten something happily in the middle. Turtle Skull has made a work the likes of which I’m confident in saying that I’ve never heard something quite like it before despite the rampant experimentation the style has been subjected to, and I can’t help but feel that makes this release all the more special.

LISTEN to “Monoliths” on Bandcamp here.

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