The Brooklyn-based psych-pop rockers Psychic Lines are back with their fifth LP, Sunset on Sunset, just in time for the waning days of summer. The new record is due for release on August 23rd and has been on The Third Eye’s radar.
Phil Jacob, who plays in another excellent Brooklyn-based group Vague Plot, created the band. The new LP is a concept album about the many delusions we cling to. In the liner notes, Psychic Lines says that some delusions give us hope but often set us up for disappointment when we find that reality doesn’t quite measure up. To bridge this gap, we deceive ourselves and others, seeking escape in the same tales that created our unrealistic expectations.
Eventually, we realize we’re like hamsters on wheels, comparing ourselves to others and wondering why they seem to be spinning faster. These self-deceptions and coping mechanisms form the backdrop of a darkly surreal yet wryly humorous collection of tunes on Sunset on Sunset.
In Psychic Lines’ new record, fantasy and reality blend until we can no longer distinguish one from the other. Charles Burst recorded the basic tracks in two sessions—one at the dearly departed Seaside Lounge Recording and the other at Figure 8 Recording. Both sessions were recorded live with Phil Jacob on guitar, saxophone, vocals, keys, and kalmiba, Dann Baker on bass and vocals, and Tim Simmonds on drums and vocals.
The record starts with “Lies I Tell Myself” with the theme of delusions front and center. “I know you’re desperate,” Phil sings. “I’m desperate, too/Everyone’s desperate.” Along with the poignant lyrics, the short song has the surf-rock-meets-indie-pop feel of much of Psychic Lines’ work.
“LA In My Mind” is where I noticed that much of the record feels like a love song to the West Coast and Los Angeles in particular (or maybe that’s just me imagining things). Phil Jacob lives in Brooklyn and comes to us by way of Virginia and Kentucky, but it’s safe to say he’s spent some time in The City of Angels. And what better place to write about self-delusions that the Land of Hollywood? “LA In My Mind” is another vibrant, multifaceted gem that captures the essence of storytelling through music.
“Mind Control” features another excellent example of storytelling, featuring my favorite lyrics on the record: “Everybody knows the mind controls the body.” Phil goes on to sing other beautifully true lines: “Nothing’s really all that bad/But you see what you don’t have/And you want it all.” Along with the smooth indie folk-pop instrumentation, I loved following Phil Jacob’s vocals and listening to his shimmering saxophone playing.
“In The Trunk of a Chevrolet” may be my favorite track, as it languidly unfolds over seven-plus minutes after an excellent instrumental introduction. It’s a slow-burning ballad that feels epic in many places.
“The Darkest Mountain” is more upbeat, bringing back the jangly psych-pop guitars and shining like the blast of sunlight on the LP’s cover. “Triage” is a short track that lasts under three minutes, and Psychic Lines lays down another excellent groove. Phil’s saxophone is once again divine.
The record closes with the nearly eight-minute “Everyone’s a Critic,” another slow-burning gem. The song feels like a peaceful and a bit melancholic farewell, reflecting on the journey that has just unfolded. Phil’s guitar solo, mixed with his saxophone playing on the track, wistfully carries us from sunset to sunset, as the LP title implies.
Psychic Lines has crafted a work in Sunset on Sunset that is both grounded and expansive. It’s rooted in folk, pop, and rock traditions while daring to explore the outer edges of these genres. It’s a record that rewards repeated listens, revealing new details and emotions with each spin. Don’t miss it.
Pre-order Sunset on Sunset by Psychic Lines on Bandcamp here.
Psychic Lines: Bandcamp | Instagram | Official Website
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