We’ve talked about Pennsylvania’s
sneaky groovers BLUES CONTROL many times here, and deservedly so. For over six years now this band has been churnin’ out high quality records bursting with unadulterated psychy sweet jams of various shades. Now, coming off their tropic-tinged collabaration with legendary electronic mystic Laraaji for RVNG INTL’s stellar FRKWYS series, the duo finally drops their fourth proper full length Valley Tangents from Drag City. This release marks a certain maturation for the band. Blues Control have always dived deep into their extended grooves, exploring the dark depths of their sound for a hidden richness, a glowing gem amid all that fuzz and tape hiss. And while the amorphous rhythms still flow smoothly on their new record, the sonic stream doesn’t tumble nearly as roughly as it did before. Instead of roaring rapids of krauty burners, here one finds gurggling creeks that softly pool into placid ponds. The unhurried, reflective tempo of the album reveal the band’s confidence in their craft; the guitar-keys combo couple have really honed their musical rapport, playing off each other’s suggested melodies, allowing them to cascade languidly over minimal machine drum beats. There is, if nothing else, a profound jazz influence here, reflected in the restless piano that both drives the beat and dances over and around it in playful rhaspody. The mood is energetic yet mellow, at times almost loungey, yet this is no masturbatory muzak, but something intricately formed, excellently executed, and -while securely founded upon their proggresive rock forebears – also refreshingly free of contemporary trends. Unlike previous releases, there’s nothing particularly ‘lo-fi’ about this record; in fact it shimmers in subtley exquisite production that allows the beauty of the compositions to shine through without losing that touch of disarmingly dissonant hiss we all know and love so well. As with every Blues Control record, this comes highly recommended. You can buy it here, stream here, or grab it when you catch them on tour (they’ll be in Boston August 3rd). Of course you’ll be there – you woudn’t want to miss this blissed out, slippery smooth force of nature, would you?