By all accounts, we live in a day and age where all things in psychedelic rock music is flourishing more than ever before. Looking in every direction we can see all sorts of glory coming from the desert and planes beyond where all forms of psychedelia are given loads of representation and more than enough opportunities to show us what all is still possible in the genre even after tens of thousands, if not hundreds or millions, of albums being churned out over the decades. New names are the life force that keep the genre moving ever-forward, however, and we are living in the midst of hordes of them. A rising name in a sea of others, High Desert Queen has been making waves since they came around four years ago, and now it’s with their sophomore record that their rise is imminent!

When we take into consideration the hot names of psychedelic rock nowadays, acts like Psychlona, King Buffalo, Rezn, and Elder are some of the first that come to mind with their rise to popularity something that simply cannot be denied for all that they’ve dared to accomplish. They embody the very best of what modern psych rock has always been associated with, and there’s always room for more at their side! The menagerie of names that could join them seems to only grow with each passing year, but there are always a few that are the top. Hands down, High Desert Queen deserves to be hailed as such! Their climb has been undeniable, and it is single-handedly with “Palm Reader” that High Desert Queen seizes its destiny in high fashion on such a level that is simply awe-inspiring to behold. A supreme collective of riffs and a tremendous approach born out of the deep desert with the wind and sun always at your back, “Palm Reader” is what happens when the very best aspects of what desert rock can be is fused perfectly with the fresh spirit of the style that is simply nigh on infectious! This is not just another desert rock act. Rather, High Desert Queen flies past the competition at light speed! Everything about this record comes together to not just see High Desert Queen seizing its destiny, but the high voltage and intense shot into our spines that we are always looking for! It’s electrifying to the touch and downright intoxicating well beyond its final notes – “Palm Reader” dominates!

We have already been utterly spoiled by psychedelics in 2024, and I’ve not shied away from stating that truth every time it fits, but it really does seem like this year is all but assured to be overflowing with greatness of the style in such a way that feels well and truly mind-boggling. High Desert Queen has only added to that magnificent glory with this new effort being a high that we’re not likely to forget nor should we ever. Whatever is to come from the lofty prospects of High Desert Queen, “Palm Reader” will cast a shadow over everything that follows with the reputation of this album and this band sure to be branded into the very memory of all who find themselves steeped in the current landscape of the genre.

“Palm Reader” releases on May 31st via Magnetic Eye Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Palm Reader” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE High Desert Queen on Facebook here.