ninehertz

The seasonal weather and light levels don’t dictate release schedules, but I’m convinced that we’re drawn to different music in the winter than summer and vice versa. So dreary doom and frostbitten black metal has been favoured on my turntable and reviewing pile, whilst the bright vibes of psych have not been dismissed but earmarked for a more appropriate listen later into the year.

And yet despite this almost exclusively consistent trend, one album has bucked the trend from the start of winter when the promo arrived to the end of January when the album releases – Lord Elephant’s Ultra Soul, out on Heavy Psych Sounds. They craft cool stoner rock rhythms, instrumental and therefore bringing obligatory reminders of Karma to Burn at intervals.

Viewing it dispassionately, there is a case to say it lacks a much-needed focal point through its vocalessness allowing tracks to meander and become aimless. It wouldn’t be an unfair assessment. But then, why approach it without passion? Get into the feel of this, its own groove and wallow in its gorgeous stoner tones and good time vibes and you’ll lose yourself, doing wonders to dispel the winter blues, not even acknowledging the passing of tracks.

Even that last statement isn’t entirely correct – there is variability, songs heading into true 70s retro modes, the occasional snarl of doom breath unfurled. It’s worth noting they leave the standout moment to the very end, Leave this World With Me using its time to chronicle epic stoner and doom progressiveness. It’s always good to leave the listener on a high, and that warranted repeat listens which brought with them the realisation that this is a fine stoner album best experienced as a single piece.