Sundowners
' second album,
Cut the Master
, is another fine slice of modern psychedelia that blends the witchy sound of late-period British folk-rock, the twisting melodies of early prog, blistering hard rock guitars, and powerfully solid tempos into something both pleasingly familiar and fresh. The band features two members of the
Skelly
clan, and they share much musical DNA with their brothers' group,
the Coral
.
has the same weight as
's 2016 album,
The Distance Inbetween
, with mighty slabs of guitar and a hazy atmosphere, but they also add some new elements, the chief one being the vocals of
Niamh Rowe
and
Fiona Skelly
. They blend in swirling harmony above the music like spirits taking flight, which helps the sometimes earthbound music feel much, much lighter. A track like "Summer Fades," with its
Deep Purple
organ and thudding drums, could have sounded ponderous if laden with pompous male vocals; here it ultimately feels feathery and free of shackles. It's a feeling that pervades the album from start to finish, and the two women make a solid record into something really good. When the music swings into lighter territory too, like on the wispily pretty "Walk on In" or the folky "Sea Won't Reflect the Sun," the blend of instruments and voices shoots into the psych-pop atmosphere. It doesn't happen enough to make
masterful, but enough enriching songcraft, sonic wizardry, and vocal beauty are on board to lead to a very pleasing listen. ~ Tim Sendra