The Third Eye

Some Pills for Ayala is the solo project of Nestor Ayala (At Devil Dirt), and, as paraphrased from their Bandcamp, it is “a psychedelic experience that uses music as a tool to experience sensations and states of mind.” The band’s newest album, Sleep Walkers, was released on July 7th, 2023.

About Some Pills For Ayala and Sleep Walkers

Some Pills For Ayala is a true solo project, as Sleep Walkers was written, arranged, and had all instruments performed by Néstor Ayala Cortés, as well as having him do all of the engineering, recording, and producing himself. There was a time when that fact would have turned me away, but there are so many incredible one-person bands that ignoring them is just plain foolish, such is the case with Some Pills For Ayala.

The Songs

1. A Flower In My Left Eye (04:07)

Opening up with what could be classified as a heavy psych riff is a surefire way to grab people’s attention, so doing that here was a wise decision. He lets the riff ride for just over a minute, and in that time, it takes on an almost drone-like quality that leads into a less intense section, instilling a definite psych sound into the proceedings. Néstor has an incredible vocal style that seems to be reminiscent of both John and Sean Lennon while still retaining a unique sound. The crazy yet cool thing about the track is that the main riff is basically the song, but Néstor manipulates and alters it just enough to remain interesting for the duration.

2. Blood Or Love (05:03)

This track may appeal to fans of Sleep, as it has been infused with just the right amount of their style. A solid groove is felt in the incredibly catchy riffs, and more changes are going on than in the opening song, helping to set this one apart. It runs for just over five minutes but is over quicker than I would have thought, which is a true sign of a good song.

3. Into Oblivion (06:30)

The music here is pure psychedelic goodness, and I was pretty happy to lose myself in its peaceful tones. The midsection becomes almost trance-like, pulling me even deeper into the song, giving me a sense that I’m floating away from my body on a cosmic adventure to the stars. By the end, he takes a different approach than the first two songs, giving the listener a sense that they shouldn’t expect just one thing from this album.

4. Let Me Free (03:41)

Have you ever wondered what Sgt. Peppers-era Beatles would sound like if they went heavy psych? Well, wonder no more, and wrap your ears around “Let Me Free” for the answer. This one will awaken listeners, especially after experiencing the subtle intricacies of the last song. My only complaint, if you can even call it that, is that it doesn’t run quite long enough for how great it is, though maybe it wouldn’t be as good if it did run longer; the world will never know.

5. Reflections (05:11)

I’m not a big fan of the intro, but it ideally leads into the verse. Néstor utilizes an entirely different vocal approach, applying the slightest bit of Layne Staley and a slightly deeper tone. There are a few spots that don’t grab me the way the first four songs did, though, just some weird guitar parts that aren’t my cup of tea. Despite not being totally into certain things, I still feel that this is a decent track that showcases another side to what Néstor is capable of.

6. Sleep Walkers (05:20)

The title track could be compared with “Into Oblivion,” only with more of a Sleep influence that leans into the heavy psych tendencies of Some Pills For Ayala. The vocals are performed with a trance-inducing sound, partially due to how they’re performed and the echoing effects used on them. This track displays a different side of the songwriter and is quite good overall.

7. Smile And Lie (03:04)

This one has desert rock and Queens Of The Stone Age Vibes running throughout, which is a great sound to include. There is one guitar part that happens a few times, and it’s weird, but it also fits into the context of the rest of the track. Also included are excellent vocal performance and a sense of creativity that shines brightly, once again alluding to the fact that you cannot count on this band to be just one thing.

8. Sore (03:10)

The beginning riff is one of my favorites on Sleep Walkers, as it brings up feelings similar to what music might sound like if Sleep and Collective Soul merged into one group. The rest of the track is equally as vital as this intro section, which is no surprise to anyone at this point in the record. As a side note, I love the vocal work on this one!

9. The Way I See The World (08:54)

The last track brings in a touch of Led Zeppelin during its intro, but that soon morphs into something beautifully trippy due to its psych overtones, also serving as the verse section. The vocals have all of the character and high quality shown throughout this album, and for almost nine minutes, this song will burrow its way into your head. This is a fitting end to an overall excellent record!

Final Thoughts

Sleep Walkers is an excellent listening experience. Néstor wrote and executed this music with a high amount of skill, as well as knowing what listeners want to hear. I recommend this album, especially if you’re a psych or stoner music fan. Some Pills For Ayala is one of those projects that keeps improving as time goes by, so jump on board and dig into this and all of the other albums that are out under this name. Enjoy!

Support Some Pills for Ayala by finding them on Bandcamp or social media (Instagram).

This review was written by Tom Hanno, who has been writing reviews for the last 7 years but has been sharing his love of music for the majority of his life. Originally starting out at the now-defunct Chimera Magazine, he is currently contributing to Doomed and Stoned, The Sleeping Shaman, The Doom Charts, Tom’s Reviews, and The Third Eye. Read more of Tom’s reviews by checking out his Linktree.

Parting words: “I’d much rather talk about guitar playing. I hate it when people ask me about my lyrics. I always feel like telling them to just go and read them.” – James Hetfield

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