Barn Owl

Given that this band are called Barn Owl, and have that righteous mythical beast scrawled on their album sleeve, I think it's pretty clear what direction this LP is going to take. Tranced-out psych studies are the order of the day, and wielding an arsenal of guitars, harmonium, harmonica, rhodes and synthesizer, this quartet (well, there are four of them this time around - apparently they have a floating, variable roster of chums to call upon) tap into some creepy pagan atmospheres, and ceremonial drones on a slab of vinyl that's as white as their death cult robes. There's a bit of a soundtrack quality to this music too, often coming across as more considered and composed than similarly minded wood nymph party jams, even getting a bit Dylan Carson at certain points, conjuring a doomy Western feel worthy of post-Hex-era Earth. The fact that this comes to you via the practically infallible Not Not Fun imprint should be all the recommendation you need, but here's some more. Highly recommended. (Boomkat)