Banjo or Freakout

Add Date: February 15 

Artist: Banjo or Freakout 

Album: Banjo or Freakout 

Label: Rare Book Room 

Genre: Rock, shoegaze, experimental 

Comments: There are a lot of things happening in Banjo or Freakout's music, but, perhaps misleadingly, the banjo isn't one of them. From the promoter: "Italian-born and London-based Alessio Natalizia makes stargaze pop, with feet firmly set forwards from the sonic footprints left by artists like Kevin Shields, Can, and Arthur Russell, and contemporaries Caribou, Deerhunter and A Place to Bury Strangers...

"The immediacy of Banjo or Freakout's sound--a sprawl of guitars, synths, drum loops and effects--is simply mesmeric. Born from [Natalizia's] love for artists like Dennis Wilson and Bobb Trimble, opener '105' sets the pace, a woozy epic of tremolo guitar, horizon-set acoustics and heartfelt vocals. From there the album's oblique lyrics, rhythmic tribal beats and lush melody all suggest something otherworldly, an intangible feeling."

"105" is the standout--be sure to check out the excellent music video--but also spin "Move Out," "Dear Me" and "Idiot Rain."