Midday Veil – The Current

In terms of tone and atmosphere, the second LP from this Seattle psych-rock sextet brings to mind similarly trippy work by stoner rock outfits like Om, although the bruising riffs are eschewed for an emphasis on analogue synths. Throw in Emily Pothast’s ritualistic vocal delivery and the rhythm section’s penchant for hypnotic grooves, and The Current acquires an authentic 70s space-rock character, while retaining a distinctive edge through its particular combinations of those elements.

The approach is most accomplished on the 11-minute closer Great Cold of the Night, on which David Golightly’s synth arpeggios underpin slow-burning guitars, ultimately building into a wall of squalling noise. However, The Current does tend to rely upon repetition to maintain its energy, and on instrumentals like Choreia, it cries out for Pothast’s powerful vocals to renew its focus; yet Midday Veil’s studied understanding of their influences ensures there are peaks of genuine intensity here. [Sam Wiseman]