Peaking Lights - 936

It would seem the music world needs an American duo creating lo-fi experimental noise as much as the world needs The Ordinary Boys to reform. But wait - Peaking Lights, and their debut album ‘936’, are something special.

The record has been out for a while in the States (you can already indulge your curiosity with the remixes at 936.fm once you’ve listened to the original) but is only now (officially) reaching British stores. In a way it’s perfect timing – ‘936’’s blissed-out, summery haziness will help you to forget the slate grey skies above you.

Wisconsin couple Aaron Coyes and Indra Dunis have created a record that does what all the best records do - takes the listener on a groove filled journey. The result is a heady and fascinating cocktail of sprawling psychedelia, krautrock, electronica and dub.

It works perfectly as a record. You finds yourself immersed in its sound and rich textures, the persistent drones pulling you under. It is a sound that is both alien and accessible, meaning you can easily get lost in the record’s laid back beauty and nagging, bubbling rhythms.

‘Synthy’ is two parts ominous, one part twinkling beauty while ‘All The Sun That Shines’ is nearly that - the sound of the sun rising and cascading down through the trees as fireworks seem to gently explode in the background. ‘Hey Sparrow’s’ nursery rhyme wooziness make you feel like you’ve opened an alt-music jewellery box.

‘Marshmellow Yellow’ ups the pace to nearly a gallop with its spacey rhythms and organ propelled melodies. Closer ‘Summertime’ is a jumble of rattling plates, the noise of a dishwasher with hazy dub playing and the haunting vocals of Dunis ghosting over the top.

At times hauntingly beautiful, at others sun kissed and dreamy, ‘936’ sees Peaking Lights dig a niche of their own - a sound that fuses together styles to create something comfortingly familiar and nostalgic but also refreshingly new and different. So, submerge yourself in this dubby and hypnotic world - it feels good down here.