Album review: Bali Yaaah “Make Belief” EP debuted at Electric Church last week
Bali Yaaah puts on quite the performance spectacle. For almost a decade, the band has commanded Austin stages, formulating their own soundtrack fortified with the unique blend of 80’s synth, 90’s grunge and 60’s psych-rock, merging various genres of world music throughout.
“Make Belief,” the band’s new EP released by Sound Barrier Records, is now available on all streaming platforms, including Bandcamp and was debuted at The Electric Church on November 22.
“On Holiday,” from their new EP, delivers on said fronts. A melodically buoyant track, the track does it’s work elevating psychedelic rock parameters via drone-y reverb. The upbeat tone pulsates with rhythmic celebration.
The collective takes a darker, heavier turn with “Cold Summer,” laden with synth notes, steady drums, and heavy bass chords. The track conveys an atmosphere similar to that of a horror-film soundtrack.
“The Gravity” starts with trippy organ, a staple of Bali’s music, and continues through a wiry instrumentation, leading to reverb vocals, and discordant guitar strums that all come together forming an organized mess. It’s a well-thought-out, precisely planned clinic of a mesmerizing song. The final track on the EP, “Diamond Bird,” brings the album back full circle to melodies similar to those of the opening track, tying the work back to its origins.
Chris Brown (organ/vocals) leads each track with vigorous grace, carried through resonating bass lines from Matt Presley, the rhythm provided by Jonas Hodges (guitar), and feverish percussion by Jason Ferguson. Their sound drawing heavily from bands like Pink Floyd and The Velvet Underground, Bali Yaaah fits in well with the new generation of psychedelic rockers rooted in Austin.
“Make Belief” offers a variety of sounds, serving as an auspicious window of what lies ahead for Bali Yaaah. The band has fused their own sound, combining melodies and instrumentation reminiscent of music spanning various decades and genres. Follow Bali Yaaah on Facebook to learn about upcoming shows and new releases.
Photos from Bali Yaaah EP release show at The Electric Church provided by Travis Gallagher
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