Review Summary: Causa Sui bring back the jazzy psychedelic summer...
Causa Sui are one of the most musically gifted acts of the contemporary European psychedelic/stoner rock scene. Their multifaceted output has repeatedly proven how smooth can they shift from jazzy or krautrock-inspired jams to dreamy ditties or riff based epics without losing identity or charm. The Danish quartet spent the last decade blending their ideas into more focused journeys. 2013's
Euporie Tide set the bar pretty high and the music just got tighter and heavier with
Return to Sky &
Vibraciones Doradas. All these albums are very consistent and diverse, especially within the genre’s context. Maintaining the same direction might have ultimately diluted the sonic experience, so the band opted for a different approach on their latest LP.
Szabodelico is another vibrant affair, oozing the same summer atmosphere most of Causa Sui’s records evoke. Referencing guitar virtuoso, Gábor Szabó, we are taken on a lush and entrancing experimental trip. Similar to the late master’s music, there’s an exotic flair blended into a trademark mix. There are shorter tracks this time, each aiming in different directions. You have the lovely twang playing alongside Latino beats on ‘Gabor’s Path’ or the laid back, Tarantino-esque surf groove on ‘Under the Spell’. Also, the playful ‘Vibratone’ boasts gorgeous guitar licks and excellent drum and bass rhythms. The latter’s interplay has always been one of the group’s biggest strengths due to their inventive and varied ideas. Meanwhile, on cuts such as ‘Laetitia’ or ‘Honeydew’ the guitar gorgeously melds with wandering flute and keyboard leads, respectively. The former’s ambient touch echoes Ozric Tentacles’ peaceful, subdued moments. As expected, the sun kissed themes continue to pour during the second half as well, where ‘Rosso Di Sera Bel Tempo Si Spera’ & ‘La Jolla’ represent the sonic equivalents to walks on the beach on a torrid day. These mellow, breezy jams find the band at its most comfortable yet. Moreover, ‘Merging Waters’ builds on deep bass lines, faint synthesizers and jazzy drumming, closing the record on a harmonious, high note.
Ultimately,
Szabodelico features a return to the
Summer Sessions mindset, however, the song structures are tighter and concise. The band have evolved significantly during their 15-year activity and gathered a wide range of influences to keep their music fresh and interesting. Favoring sonic layering over hard riffs this time around, Causa Sui crafted an LP that is both impressive and intriguing. Its warm atmosphere makes for a very relaxing listen, although the musicians play multiple intricate patterns.
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