Jakethehawk: Hinterlands

Okay, now it’s time for some mountain music or as the Pennsylvania Band Jakethehawk like to call it, ‘Appalachian Desert Rock’, a sort of doomy, folky, proggy, and psychedelic concoction. The band released their debut full length album To Build a Fire in 2018 as well as the E.P. Year of the Hawk that same year. Their latest is titled Hinterlands, released in February of this year.

The band is:
John Huxley (vocals, guitars, electric piano)
Jordan Lober (drums)
Justin Lober (bass, vocals)
With:
Josh Emery (guitars and wind chimes on track 6)

Hinterlands has been another excellent find in the stoner rock genre with no weak points whatsoever. The lead vocals are clean and melodic, pretty laid back and very easy on the ears. The guitar offers plenty of fuzz but also cleaner tones and the bass and drums drive it all home. The album contains six tracks and around thirty-nine minutes of music. It’s not a long album by today’s standards but the band squeeze power and passion into every note, ensuring an enthralling and fulfilling listen.

A mellow and shimmering sound begins the lead-off track “Counting�, oozing a mysterious quality, but it doesn’t take long for the eruption of heavy fuzzed laden chords, melding into a cool progression. As I mentioned earlier the vocals are excellent with a mellow delivery, in contrast to the heavy doom on display. Another great track is “Ochre & Umber� starting fast right out of the gate before slowing down with psychedelic tinged guitar. It's back and forth between heavy riffs and cleaner notes and the guitar solo is nice and heavy. The trippy and otherworldly beginning in “Interzone Mantra� sets a delicious mood for the heavy riffs to burst forth. It’s a doom-like dirge riff pattern that will be on repeat in your head long after the song ends. There is also an experimental quality here that demonstrates just how creative Jakethehawk can be. “Still Life� is built around acoustic guitar and is another moody and melodic gem. Huxley’s memorable vocals is a highlight for sure. Electric guitar adds the heavier moments and creates some cool atmospherics.

Hinterlands is indeed an excellent foray into the stoner and psychedelic genres and should not be missed. Another easily recommended release courtesy of Ripple Music.

Track Listing:
1. Counting
2. Ochre & Umber
3. Interzone Mantra
4. Still Life
5. Uncanny Valley
6. June

Added: October 24th 2021
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 978
Language: english

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