ONCE & FUTURE BAND

‘TELL ME THOSE ARE TEARS OF JOY’

(‘ONCE AND FUTURE BAND’ – 27/1 – CASTLE FACE RECORDS)

Leading us into a brave new year of psychedelic fantasia and silky smooth pop with a penchant for expansion are Once & Future Band – an Oakland quartet with the ability to lead you down a rabbit hole of the past and future for something entirely contemporary. Following the fully-formed grandiosity that they found on introduction ‘How Does It Make You Feel‘ – new single ‘Tell Me Those Are Tears of Joy‘ is jubilant in its exploration of the middle ground, exacting synth and guitar solos upon harmonies that caress as well as ground in an elegant consideration of dream states and reality.

Scaling the expressive heights of their previous single, ‘Tell Me…‘ is a more tender and intimate prospect, but one that doesn’t leave behind all manner of grand excesses. Sky-flying synth spins with almost unending possibility, yet unquestionably has purpose – as much so as the tranquil harmonies that drive the idyllic calm of a track that is more emotive than a lot of psychedelic music. What’s most impressive is the subtle moments that could easily go unnoticed within its monolithic foundations – the quieter touches of orchestral fortitude that build into each chorus, the jazzier notions of drummer Raj Ojha, and most importantly the collective unity of the group that favourably does not hold back on any creative indulgences, creating something animated and undoubtably modern that thrives in being different.

‘Once & Future Band‘, the group’s new full-length, is available from 27th January via Castle Face Records.