Given the year that we've been having, everyone should be well aware of the time that all things related to psychedelia have been having ever since 2024 got rolling. It has been a wild ride that I've been more than happy to continuously jump on given all that several names have been doing their best to bring glory to whether they be newer names or that of veteran acts many of us have long revered. It was several months ago, however, that one collaboration was announced yet very little news came in regards to such a creation. The very concept of Elephant Tree and Lowrider putting forth new material independently is a truly intoxicating thought, but the thought of them doing a split? Nothing short of a pipe dream. Just this once, that dream has come true.
Out of the gate and without having heard so much as a single moment of this work, it can be effortless to write off this album as a slam dunk that doesn't need any sort of digestion nor analysis in order to appropriately judge in any substantial form. But, in my opinion, to not fully investigate every given layer and piece of an effort like "The Long Forever" would be to not give it the attention that it clearly deserves. Having made their individual claims to fame in their own corners of psychedelia, Elephant Tree and Lowrider need no introduction with the quality of "The Long Forever" nothing to be questioned!
It's Lowrider that kicks things off in such a way that only they know how with all the bounce, melodies, and interstellar travel that they've always put forth. Four tracks that peel the sky open and allow us to peer right in-between the stars in order to divest upon the deepest secrets of the cosmos itself, it's a simple joy to bask in the warmth of Lowrider's immensely distinct sound yet again after their comeback album made impact just a few years ago. Laden with all the riffs and supernovas that one could ask for, Lowrider delivers glory unbound and sets the stage perfectly for Elephant Tree's ever-shifting approach to transporting the mind to realms only they can tap into. Delivering the final three tracks of "The Long Forever", including the title track, it's with their particular approach to stoner doom that Elephant Tree brings the pace right down to a constant march yet continuing the levels of euphoria at an undeniable high that's not to be underestimated for so much as a millisecond. Just as atmospheric as it is hard-hitting in its drawn out riffs, this is Elephant Tree back in full force without compromising their sound one bit even in the face of recording with such legends of the genre. Where the fabric of reality twists and the surreal becomes material, only Elephant Tree remains constant even as "The Long Forever" proves its own name.
Separately, this work would have done tremendously as individual EPs for both acts as they showcase their magnificence yet again, but it's as one cohesive force that "The Long Forever" quickly transforms itself into a terrific creation whose grandeur and potency is not to be taken lightly! The exact sort of creation that we've been needing in a year that has thrown forth all that it has at us, it's only natural that the likes of Elephant Tree and Lowrider would join forces to show us precisely what kind of banner year for psychedelia this year truly is!
"The Long Forever" releases on October 25th via Blues Funeral Recordings!
LISTEN to an advanced track from "The Long Forever" on Bandcamp here, or via YouTube below.
LIKE Elephant Tree on Facebook here.
LIKE Lowrider on Facebook here.
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