Review Summary: One more ride through the desert.
Desert rock legends Yawning Man decided to experiment with a punchier sound on their latest record,
Pavement Ends. It contrasts the loose, dreamy vibe of 2023’s
Long Walk of the Navajo, as it brings forth a dose of distortion and a few riffs as well. It ends up closest to the stoner rock genre they influenced, without losing their signature ethereal atmosphere. Bassist Mario Lalli rejoined the band after taking a break to focus on various other projects, so we can once more hear his sturdy low end throughout. “Burrito Power” opens with a Black Sabbath-ish groove, whereas Gary Arce kicks right into his trademark, reverb drenched guitar leads. The blend of melodic and heavier moments make this tune a beautiful, engaging journey start. Same goes for “Bomba Negra”, which fuses breezy solos over a fuzzy bass progression. Meanwhile, the sublime “Gestapo Pop” leans towards their debut,
Rock Formations, its soothing, mid-tempo rhythm being a classic example of a Yawning Man cut.
The mesmerizing “Dust Suppression” follows, where Lalli’s powerful bass chords gently drive alongside the chilled out guitar notes and slow, steady drumming. The chemistry between the members is so well honed at this point, they could jam while in separate rooms and flawlessly anticipate their next moves. Sitting somewhere between desert rock and post-rock, “Bad Time to Be Alive” shares the catchiest melodies on this LP. Right when you would say it feels nostalgic, the notes change to something more uplifting. Going back and forth like this makes for a very lush listen. Roughly forty years into their career, Yawning Man are not trying to reinvent themselves, however, they continue to deliver gorgeous, relaxing music.
Pavement Ends is yet another quality entry in their catalogue, starting heavier, before settling into a lighter, familiar comfort zone.
