US - Oregon / New Zealand - Full Moon 230 - 06/02/15

Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Can't Keep Checking My Phone
Jagjaguwar

Unknown Mortal Orchestra is Ruban Nielson's 'baby'. Five years ago Nielson (singer, guitarist and songwriter - formerly of The Mint Chicks, a Flying Nun act) put out "Ffunny Ffrends", and the wheel of groovy hypno-love-beat pop slowly started rolling and spinning. UMO is a trio, with Nielson, backed by Jake Portrait (bass) and Riley Geare (drums). The American/New Zealander (as they're based in Auckland, NZ and Portland, Oregon) band released their self-titled debut album in 2011 (on Fat Possum Records), followed by II in 2013 (now handled by the fabulous Jagjaguwar label). "Can't Keep Checking My Phone" is the first taster from their up-coming third platter, Multi-Love (due out May 26th).

This time around, UMO's mullti-coloured psych-soul pop is like a balloon slowly ascending towards the sky. "Can't Keep Checking My Phone" is a laidback and swirling funky beast wrestling Sly & The Family Stone. But, mind you, UMO also flirt the attitude of contemporaries like Foxygen, and they also make me think of veteran indie pop-psych acts like Mercury Rev and The Flaming Lips in their more loose and groovy moments: "Can't Keep..." somehow makes me recall Rev's take on Sly & the Family Stone's "If You Want Me to Stay" back in 1992. So, "Can't Keep'''" by the Unknown Mortal Orchestra is tasty, catchy and somewhat addictive. It makes me want to check out more of their music. Well, the new album, Multi-Love (plus its second single, the album's title-tracks) is already out. Guess I must revisit UMO next moonth.

Copyright © 2015 Håvard 'Phunk' Oppøyen