The trio of Yukon Territorial Expansion recently returned with their fifth record, and it’s a foaming-at-the-mouth display of psych-maximalism. For those who missed their early days, the trio’s self-titled debut was the inaugural release on Searching Records, over eight years ago.
That first session found guitarist/producer Joshua Allgood teaming up with Ash and Jonny (of drone-leaning post-rock outfit The Human Machine), with the aim of pushing their improvisational instincts into a more feral zone. The resulting 28-minute blowout recalled the explorations of Ash Ra Tempel and Les Rallizes Dénudés, and it quickly became a cult touchstone in the Searching Records’ catalog.
After three more albums with expanded lineups, the group faded into a six-year silence. Then, in August 2024, they reconvened in Seattle for a single hour of recording. From that whirlwind session came the raw clay of their new album.
The tapes were later sculpted by Allgood into two post-modern suites. It’s a dizzying collage that swerves between stoner rock, spaced-out improv, anti-capitalist spoken word, and radical post-production experiments.
It’s still the same trio at its core with Ash on bass, Jonny on drums, percussion, and trumpet, and Allgood lighting the thing ablaze with a variety of instruments and sound effects. But here, the music is more restlessly deconstructive and aware of its own madness.
It’s the kind of experimental record that’ll have you occasionally wondering “What the hell am I listening to?” But that’s part of the appeal. If you’re wired for the strange (as I am), you’ll find plenty to enjoy.
Leave a Reply