Psychlona - "Warped Vision"
photo credit: Jony Hunter
Psychlona is a band you've probably heard of if you've been listening to stoner rock for any length of time. This quartet from Bradford, UK has been pumping out some of the most infectious, energetic stoner/psych on the planet since 2016. With a sound that's been compared to a blend of Kyuss and Fu Manchu with a bit of Hawkwind and Pink Floyd thrown in for good measure, Psychlona is inarguably a riff-driven band; their brand of cool, flowing psychedelic fuzz is peppered with sudden jaunts of heaviness. Not only that, but the band utilizes cleverly placed distortion and some spacey effects to make the listening experience even more engaging. The vocals, meanwhile, have quite a soothing quality; reminiscent of Roger Walters, they're husky yet melodic, clean but not overly so. All of these elements work together to create a vibe that, while undeniably chill overall, keeps you on your toes with waves of dense, gritty stoner riffage. There's a little bit of everything present in Psychlona's sound, making it appealing to fans of multiple styles of heavy rock music.
Now, with three albums and countless live gigs under their belts (including Desertfest London and Freak Valley Festival), the band is gearing up to release their fourth full-length album. Titled Warped Vision, Psychlona's newest release drops on September 27, 2024 via Magnetic Eye Records.
Let's get into Warped Vision track-by-track:
Warped Vision
1. Jasmine
This track begins with a low, growling bass line and a crunchy, almost punky riff, soaring solos from the lead guitar popping through. The choppiness smooths out just a bit as the song progresses, thanks in large part to those ever cool and collected vocals. Jasmine is filled with big, amplified stoner/desert tones and major groove as the lyrics fondly recount good vibes and good times... This is such an infectiously feel-good song.
the official music video for "Jasmine"
2. Let's Go
Much like Jasmine, Let's Go is all about the good times. This song is a little more smoothed-out, with that psychedelic influence flooding in. The almighty riff and some killer guitar solos are still very much present, along with some great percussion. Effortlessly flowing and free, yet weighty and rugged: Psychlona's specialty.
the official music video for "Let's Go"
3. Smoke
This is a dreamlike, hazy track, as buoyant and delicate as the smoke it's named for with a bit of a grungy/alternative feel. While it begins by recounting fond memories, it quickly becomes clear that Smoke is about the loss of a loved one. While the song ultimately picks up near the end to be on par with the typical Psychlona jam, the overall mournful tone (even in the faster, heavier parts) is quite the contrast, enough to give the listener thoughtful pause. It's a haunting reminder that life can be as fragile and fleeting as smoke itself.
4. Cut Loose
This spiraling, deliciously distortion-heavy track backed by gritty stoner riffage also tackles serious subject matter, this time of the political variety. You can genuinely hear the frustration in both the vocals and instrumentals, and that emotion is what drives this song along.
5. Topanga
Topanga has a backbone of swaying yet choppy metal-forward groove. A note of apprehension in the vocals gives the song a bit of an anxious, almost paranoid vibe as it recounts the tale of Charles Manson. Topanga also seems to serve as a bit of a warning about the dangers of blindly following someone...particularly when combined with too many psychedelics.
6. Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope follows the result of being (forcibly?) given a mind-altering substance. To my ears, the apprehensive choruses and smoky, nearly spoken word vocals in the verses represent the voices in one's head. Put together, these elements illustrate the alternating mania, paranoia, and moments of clarity experienced by the subject.
7. Split
Split is another song about loss and the fragility of life. However, while Smoke is about an unexpected tragic accident, Split focuses more on survivors guilt: having assumed things would always be okay, taking things for granted, and generally feeling eternally guilty for missing all the signs that something was wrong. This is also the most mellow song on Warped Vision, but its emotion is unmistakable. The vocals alternate between melodic, fond remembrance and a pained, impassioned lament. The instrumentals follow suit, sorrow heard in every note.
8. Magic Carpet
Magic Carpet starts with airy, bluesy psych in the verses before ripping into big, riffing choruses a la Psychlona. My favorite thing about Magic Carpet is its well-executed progression from cool psychedelic rock to a massive, barreling stoner jam by its end.
the official music video for "Magic Carpet"
Final Thoughts
Most comparable to Psychlona's previous album Palo Verde in overall tone, Warped Vision sees the band's sound continuing to evolve in a more atmospheric direction. Psychlona seems to be leaning further into their psychedelic rock influences while maintaining their status as a very riff-driven band. That said, Psychlona does a particularly good job at keeping things immersive and heavy in the vein of stoner rock/metal while never allowing their songs to get too bogged down. The primary difference on Warped Vision, of course, is its lyrical plunge into tough topics, providing honest, often heartfelt accounts of relatable and relevant issues. Far from being all doom and gloom, however, Psychlona provides just as many tributes to the good, carefree times on Warped Vision, resulting in a good balance of more sophisticated material and the energetic, riffing anthems that gave the band their start. I get the sense that this is a very personal album for Psychlona, filled with fond memories, heartache, frustrations, and most importantly, healing.
More About Psychlona
Psychlona is always out there playing shows and festivals, but they're embarking on a particularly badass European tour with none other than Slomosa and Greenleaf this fall. Make sure you keep an eye on the band's social media for updates and details!
You can follow Psychlona and listen to their music at the following links:
Massive thanks to All Noir PR and Magnetic Eye Records for the promo!
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