Younghusband – Dromes

From bands to festivals, psych is in vogue. So much so that the bandwagon’s already crammed tight with new artists seeking recognition and acceptance. But London based psych-pop quartet Younghusband are exciting and easy to embrace.

On the title track from their debut album Dromes, Euan Hinshelwood’s repetitive and infectious brand of songwriting hooks you in from the get go. Feverish guitars collide with a punchy bass line and some minimalist, tight and effective drumming. Produced by Nicolas Vernhes (Deerhunter/Silver Jews), Hinshelwood’s voice comes over distinctive and fuzzy-sweet – all dressed up in west coast style harmonies. Chords and melodies churn and crash together in kaleidoscopic waves, peaking like an acid trip – looping and swelling in pulsing repetition, heightening the sonic experience. It’s an addictive formula. All dynamic tension and eventually a sense of release by way of a quirky Syd Barrett-esque psych-noise freak out. When this musical genre is no longer flavour of the month, Dromes will still stand out for being really fucking good.

Paul Baird