Review – Freaks of the Sea – ‘Mercurial EP’

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It seems like a rarity to find a good psychedelic act nowadays. Not to say that there aren’t any psychedelic bands out there, but it’s hard for some to leave their mark.

Psychedelic music entails a broad spectrum of sounds within the genre itself. It usually is associated by the elaborate and collective use of reverberation and delay, accompanied by phasing and/or flanging that “colors” the psychedelic atmosphere presented.

So why is it hard for acts in this style to stick out? There isn’t a real right or wrong answer. Though, it seems that a lot of these acts are pinned for their “retro” or “vintage” sound that seems more like a revival movement rather than pioneering into something new.

With that said, psychedelic soul is something you don’t see everyday. It stirs up curiosity, as in, what would that sound like? Well, look no further and prepare yourself for Freaks of the Sea’s most recent EP, Mercurial.

When you listen to psychedelic music, it entrances you; it takes you to “another place.” Sometimes you have to mentally prepare yourself for the trip, whereas other times the music does the work and preparation for you. The latter is what Freaks of the Sea offers. It checks all the boxes for a definite classification of psych music, yet is “relaxed” enough so that it allows a smooth transition for yourself into the atmosphere the band brings to life.

The EP is dreamy, smooth, and enveloping. It’s dreamy in the good sense; something you can ease your mind to while you slip away into a lucid state of zen.

Mercurial is a well-balanced body of work, encompassing soulful melodies, glistened and colored with mind-altering effects. It would be hard to classify the album as simply either or just psychedelic/soul, as it is a well-blended representation of both. Album opener “Push Me” seems more like a well-constructed Soul-piece, accented with effects, rather than a straightforward psych track. Ultimately, it poses as an appropriate introduction to what the band has to offer.

“Twice the Woman” marks another strong track with a catchy chorus, and a interesting progression. Not as many mind-melting elements are present throughout the track, other than the phasing guitar throughout the verses and the echoing snare hit that concludes the track. However, “Neon Zebra” seems to incorporate more of a neo-psych dimension.

The modulated atmosphere that colors “Neon Zebra” marks a shift in their sound introduced so far. It also debuts alternating vocal styles presented by the two vocalists and the lush melodies they explore within the following songs. It undoubtedly broadens the horizons for their musical ambitions and what they are capable as well.

After the genre-shift following “Twice The Woman”, the band dives deeper into the unconscious state of mind of which they have seem to have made their own. “Save Your Money” and album closer “Digital Satisfaction” continue to hypnotize you into the sea in which Freaks of the Sea reside. Surrounded by the radiating waves of dreamy guitars and ambient synths, it’s pleasing to have so graciously been taken to such a place.

The sounds of the EP are captivating, and are a great representative of what psychedelic music entails. Even though their sonic textures are that of a unique anomaly, they can be interpreted and perceived in different ways. Ultimately, their trippy sounds evoke an array of emotions and reactions from those exposed, while the soulful elements are what universally connect everyone.

Each of the songs, as well as the album in its entirety, is capable of taking you on a hallucinatory journey; but only if you allow it to. Each song itself offers the opportunity to “transcend,” but doesn’t force it upon you. You could listen to the EP start to finish as the relaxed, chilled-out album it is, or you could allow the glistening waves of psychedelia to encompass you and take you away.

The EP is smooth, easy to listen to, and colored with character. It presents soul-ful melodies, while adhering to the standards of psychedelia established decades ago.

Mercurial is a proud product of inspiration drawn in retrospect in order to create something completely original and breathtaking. Freaks of the Sea offer something new to the realm of psychedelia, and the results aren’t to be skipped out on.

(Mercurial is available for purchase via freaksofthesea.bandcamp.com/album/mercurial digitally for just a dollar. Stream the track “Push Me” below via SoundCloud.)

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