Photo by Abby Banks
L.A.’s Wand burrowed deep into the psych-rock wormhole with its previous three albums, collaborating with like-minded psycho-nauts Ty Segall and Mikal Cronin. For LP number four, the group expanded its lineup and tried out a more collaborative songwriting process in its rehearsal space.
Given its past work, you’d expect more lysergic chaos, but Wand moves in the opposite direction on the title track, “Plum.” The pounding rock-and-roll has been pared down to a staccato piano riff, with perfectly-placed sonics–barb-wire guitars, a sneakily-funky bass line–coming into focus as the song creeps along. They might just be rearranging the psychedelic furniture, but Wand find some more magic lurking underneath the seat cushions.
“Plum” appears on Plum, out September 22. Wand plays the Barracuda on October 13.
–Art Levy // host, Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., producer, My KUTX
