Whereas there’s still plenty of glory to be found in the more straightforward realms of rock, I’ve never been able to turn away from the showcasing of the ethereal and more nebulous sides of what the genre has long been capable of. We’ve been treated to loads of talent in recent times thanks to the raw talent and vast amount of innovation that the sound still has to offer for those who seek it out, yet it’s still up to us to identify and celebrate new talent when it comes around with real promise. It was just a few years ago that the name of Temptress flew around on my radar, yet it’s with their forthcoming effort that I now realize what this up-and-coming act can bring to the table.

A smooth production that’s constantly pulling you into its depth is always something to be heralded as an immersive and seductive work that hits something deep in the back of your skull, but it means nothing if the band isn’t able to get you in its clutches in the first place and then accomplish the task of keeping your attention throughout the whole of the experience. It’s a complicated formula that needs to be driven almost exclusively by either soul or raw talent – preferably both. As you might imagine, instances of this are few and far between, making what Temptress has accomplished throughout the eight tracks of the dreamlike “hear” something that’s even more fascinating to watch unfold. Downright intoxicating for its seductive atmospheres that are always beckoning you forward into the dense mist that Temptress holds complete dominion over, it’s through supreme bursts of riffage and a solid diversity in going from one track to the next that “hear” manages to keep you on the edge of your seat as this core of stoner rock is constantly being pulled and twisted in different directions from styles like doom, drone, and grunge, all coming together to make this swirling concoction intensely flavorful. While admittedly repetitive at times, it’s in sitting in those moments that the hypnotic factor of Temptress is cranked to a new level, allowing “hear” as a whole to be a work with a delicate balance of expansive immersion and thundering melody.

Compelling and deep in practically every sense, Temptress should be incredibly proud of what it has thrown down here. While far from the greatest creation that the world of stoner rock has thrown our way in recent times, there’s nothing that I can deny when it comes to the effect that “hear” has upon the soul. Close your eyes, fall back, and allow the winds of Temptress to flow over you, opening your eyes to sounds and experiences few are able to tap into.

“hear” releases on January 23rd via Blues Funeral Recordings!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “hear” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Temptress on Facebook here.

FOLLOW Temptress on Instagram here.