Monkey3 return with a stunning slice of next level rock music to transport the most weary of listeners away into their musical cosmos.
As I’ve said in previous reviews, writing instrumental music is already hard enough, but telling a story with instrumental music is extremely hard. Not having a singer to spell out what you are trying to achieve makes it almost impossible to convey your intentions. Step forward Psych music, which is especially suited to instrumental music due to its fluid structure and less reliance on spoon-feeding intentions to the audience with the use of words. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still very difficult to get right, but getting it right is exactly what Lausanne natives Monkey3 do on their stunning new album Welcome to the Machine.
In the ever-evolving cosmos of psychedelic rock, Monkey3’s latest offering stands as a testament to the band’s increasing confidence in crafting sublime sonic voyages. The best thing to do with this album is don some headphones and immerse yourself in this auditory odyssey. You will find yourself transported to realms where time is but a fleeting abstraction and music becomes the conduit to internally searching for the answers to some weighty questions. Hyperbole perhaps, but then again, I’m never one to veer into subtleties when I believe it’s entirely justified.
From the very outset, Welcome to the Machine beckons the listener in with its hypnotic rhythms and ethereal melodies, inviting them to embark on a journey of sonic exploration. The album’s first track “Ignition” serves as a gateway to a world where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur, weaving intricate patterns of sound that envelop the senses in a kaleidoscope of sonic colours. With more than one passing nod to Pink Floyd, the band skilfully blend their influences into an alchemical delight of sounds.
As alluded to previously, one of the most striking aspects of Monkey3’s music is their ability to seamlessly knit elements of Stoner Rock, Space Rock, and Progressive Metal into a cohesive sonic tapestry. Tracks like “Collision” and “Rackman” exemplify this fusion, with their pulsating rhythms, soaring guitar solos, and otherworldly atmospheres transporting the listener to the furthest reaches of the cosmos.
Yet, it’s the albums middle song “Kali Yuga” where the magic shines brightest. A song which zips along visiting varied destinations on its journey, never wasting a second of its 10+ minute runtime. A guitar solo for the ages, a next-level rhythm section, each and every one of the band firing on all cylinders, and yet it’s the quieter sections which really make it zing, perfectly balanced with the heavier elements. It’s a dizzying dance of supreme delight and I can only imagine listening to this song in a live setting with other people would be a rather uplifting experience.
But for all its bombast, amidst the cosmic expanses and psychedelic landscapes, there lies a profound sense of introspection and contemplation. Final track “Collapse” delves into the depths of the human psyche, teasing out long dormant emotions and toying with the listener with its clever use of dynamics. Fluid in nature and never in a hurry, it meanders in the best way possible. If you open a bottle of fine wine, you don’t just go pouring it into a pint glass and downing it, you let it breath, savour the various smells and take delight in discovering all of the myriad flavours, well, this song is excactly like that.
So, Monkey3’s Welcome to the Machine is a masterpiece of Psychedelic Rock that reaffirms the band’s status as pioneers of the genre. With its mesmerizing soundscapes, thought-provoking passages, and impeccable musicianship, this album is a testament to the boundless potential of music to elevate the human spirit and expand the horizons of consciousness. For those brave enough to embark on this sonic odyssey, the rewards are legion and compelling.
