ninehertz

The Californian legends that are Dead Meadow have signed to Heavy Psych Sounds, which feels just right - a home that'll look after them for their new material, plus an opportunity of represses of their back catalogue. And I can finally get my hands on a vinyl copy of Shivering King (and Others). First comes their new album, Voyager to Voyager.

So how are they, 26 years into their existence? Still going strong as it happens, and still very much the band we've always known. Press play here, greeted by The Space Between, and you find yourselves landing straight into the loose and loungey feel that is distinctively Dead Meadow, like they've always been here. It does little, never rises from the slumberous state but then they don't mean it to. It is followed by Not the Season, wistful and hazy - you can't go searching for this album, it won't set your pulse racing - it's a sit back and let it flow over you vibes kinda ride.

It dips somewhat afterwards. That languid posture sometimes comatose, other times where it plods along a little or even crosses over from psychedelia into classic rock fringes, ungracefully. But even within that, the album's high point arrives - the awesome Dead Tree Shake - the band at their best, effortlessly cool - the kind of song that feels familiar, the low lying hazy clouds psych bands like to opaque their sounds within... but no-one does this as well as Dead Meadow.

Listened to in the wrong mood, even slightly off, then this'll brush by you and you might not even notice its presence - that's partly the style they've always had, but on other albums they managed to cover that so you had no choice but to pay attention. So while not their best, it still has its place, to be played in moments where the ultra-chill kick back is what you're looking for. If you find that right groove, then Voyager to Voyager is its 2025 soundtrack.