ALBUM REVIEW: HERE WE GO MAGIC - THIS JANUARY

Today’s review is about a band that started as a solo project and had the debut album recorded in an apartment and then expanded to a five piece act, released a highly praised sophomore and checked a lot of important festivals. Oh, and Thom Yorke likes them (naturally, Pitchfork should love them as well). Yes, I’m talking about Here We Go Magic here and yes, they’ve just released a new material, The January, which includes six previously unreleased tracks from their Pigeons period.

If you’re afraid that this means lower quality, then you can rest assured. The band paid a lot of attention to this material and this can be easily seen (or heard) from the very first listening. Let’ say, if you like, that Here We Go Magic successfully prove again that psychedelic plus folk equals love.

There are two songs that stand up the most. The opening track, Tulip, is a wonderful mixture of eerie synth sounds and catchy, powerful drums and guitars, which will stick with you for many days to come. On the other hand, Hollywood is wrapped up in gently acoustic guitar chords and synth humming and features a really melodic and ethereal voice, giving you the impression that you dream rather than listening. This dichotomy is present on the whole release, thus never leaving you time to get bored.

The January is a really fine release and a great follow up to Pigeons and it reassures the world that Here We Go Magic is a band one should keep an eye on.

~ Raluca Bicu