To talk about the very state of heavy psych in its current form is to talk about what certifiably has got to be one of the most exciting scenes in all of rock in the modern soundscape that we find ourselves in. Some of the most versatile and engaging names in all of rock can be found within the confines of the style with the enhanced competition that the sound has seen in recent years really showing us just how far the style can be pushed. A true product of its time, the second album from Fostermother proves to be one of the finer creations that the style has thrown our way when it comes to quality heavy psych in 2022.

Right out the gate with that tremendous cover art, it’s clear without a second thought that Fostermother isn’t here to mess around. Having only started down their path of excellence just three years ago, it wouldn’t be any sort of leap in logic to assume that Fostermother wouldn’t be firing on all cylinders right away after their debut album the year the band was founded, but, yet, it’s clear with the very existence of “The Ocean” that this band is far more than a drop in the bucket that is the heavy psych scene when we take into consideration the grandeur of these nine gorgeous songs. An absolute plethora of beautiful riffs jam-packed into one album that’s simply overflowing with a delicious sense of psychedelia that permeates every given facet of the overall performance, it would be a gross understatement to insinuate that Fostermother has done anything other than blow any expectations out of the water. “The Ocean” not only tops the band’s previous album, but could very easily have the power and strength to wash over the very whole of the heavy psych scene for all that it delivers from its somber tones to captivating atmospheres to the ferocious talent and ambition that brings everything together in stunning fashion. Everything about this album bleeds into one another to make the performance as a whole not just wondrously gripping but undoubtedly thrilling right from the very beginning, but it’s even now that I can’t help but feel that this is but a peek of what Fostermother is really capable of.

I don’t think there will ever be a shortage of wondrous bands out of the world of heavy psych for all that the style is capable of bringing to life, especially with all the talent that we’ve already seen come about in recent years, and it’s in every way that I feel we should expect Fostermother to easily become one of the next names that simply won’t be denied more than their fair share in the limelight should they continue down this path. The very essence of “The Ocean” is the exact sort of glory that many of us got into heavy psych to experience with every spin offering some new excellent morsel for us to fall in love with, and I can only see this album aging like the most exquisite of fine wine.

LISTEN to “The Ocean” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Fostermother on Facebook here.