Winds’ Look at the Sky

Since the early 2010s, the psychedelic scene has been crowded by a seemingly endless supply of newcomers, spurred to action by the work of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, early Tame Impala and other inspired Australian acts. What separates these innovators from their inexperienced counterparts, however, isn’t the fervent adoption of lysergic, swirling guitars and heavy reverb, but rather a mastery of the song craftsmanship that underpins classic recordings. The arrival of Winds’ debut album, Look at the Sky, is a triumph of such artistry. Showcasing a brand of stripped-down, live sounding psychedelia, these 11 songs penned by vocalist Trevor Pritchett (Lucille Furs), Glenn Brigman (Triptides), Brendan Peleo-Lazar (Lucille Furs, Triptides) and visual artist John Zabawa (responsible for the artwork and design behind Claude Fontaine’s excellent self-titled debut) allow strong melodies to shine through a plethora of nuanced textures that vary from the rambling organ fuzz exhibited on “Mango Mango” to the hazy grass pop of “The King of Dreams.” Of particular interest is the soaring falsetto of “The Way You Feel,” Pritchett’s Jagger-esque snarl displayed on highlights “Don’t Fall Apart” and “Return of the Jive,” and “Winds,” the closing title track that unfolds like the credits to a coming of age film. Reveling in a sense of sonic freedom that stands in stark contrast to the tightly focused nature of the prior compositions, this track is a fitting coda that portends excellent things to come from this budding collaboration.

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If you like Look at the Sky, check out:

• Mantra Moderne by Kit Sebastian

• Another Land by Lucille Furs

• 12 x 5 by The Rolling Stones

• Eternity Bay by The Saxophones

• Silver Synthetic by Silver Synthetic