Astral Swans is just the best name for a band ever. Wish I'd thought of it. The project of Calgary, Alberta singer-songwriter Matthew Swann. The name is not all, he and they have going for them. Latest album, an eponymous one, though it's their third is a magical and consistently surprising one.
'Steeped' according to Vice 'in 60s psych-folk mythology and loner punk iconography.' Astral Swans is certainly an original amalgum of sound. Reminding me of Phosphorence in terms of its explorative spirit as much as its sounds. It's a set of buoyant and suprising space pop melodies.
The 'space' analogy seems to be an apt one as these songs seem to be floating free like objects in a gravity fee capsule on electric waves of sound, familiar yet somehow fresh.
Bill Baird and Kelly Stolz are other similarly single minded modern pioneers who could be brought in as basic fellow travellers. It's great to see music artists able to channel the past to make entirely contemporary statements.
Astral Swans was an absolute delight when I chanced upon it in the new releases playlists yesterday. An immediate new entry into my Albums of the Year countdown, and a high one. It will be well into December until this is posted again.
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