Irish psychedelic label Fuzzed Up & Astromoon Records is a bit of an obsession of mine. Their lathe cut seven-inch series has introduced me to some amazing new bands. Among this illustrious list is Dublin’s Thee U.F.O. The label has released two singles and their previous album, Ponderous Fug. If you haven’t explored the band yet I can highly recommend this album and the single ‘Impish Delight’ in particular.
The band return with their new album, Beaming A Moments Reflection. Consisting of core members Darragh Hansard & Beth Doyle they have previously said in interviews their aim is to “create as much as possible”. Aiming for quantity might give you pause to think that quality would take a hit. You needn’t worry. Thee U.F.O have already released two singles from this album and both have been exceptional.
The album opens on the discordant tones of ‘Bursting Egos’. It isn’t long until the song explodes into life like some lost 13th Floor Elevators freak out. The cycling bass line and locomotive drums hold down the groove while the guitar heads off to outer space. Hansards vocal delivery is dynamic and swings from hushed to whoops and howls. It’s an incredibly assured and energetic way to open an album.
Next up is a recent single to be released from the album, the joyous ‘Junk Funk Garbage’. For me the drums are what makes this track stand out. They never stop moving giving the this a whole new vibe to anything Thee U.F.O have released to date. “Can ya see? Can ya feel? Then Smile” preaches Hansard and we listen! The rest of the song is completed with stabbing guitar and smooth synth lines. If you missed this one on seven-inch now’s your chance to get it on the album.
‘Squashed Planets’ has a Kosmische feel right out the gate. The opening section feels very compressed and claustrophobic. Hansards vocal sounds like its coming from across the vast expanse and we are picking it up on our shortwave radio. Soon we are assaulted by power of fuzzed out guitar attack but its only momentary and we settle back into more gentle tones from the cosmos.
It’s another single next in the shape of the expansive and rhythmic ‘Surveyor’. Like a twisted ‘Taxman’ it sputters along like a firework nearing the end. It’s anxious and regulated rhythm section hold the line whilst the vocals float airily over the top of it all. It’s an utterly infectious jam and will have your head nodding and foot tapping.
‘Cell Map’ is another trademarked Thee U.F.O wig out. Like a bottle of electricity this song bursts out of every available corner of your speakers. Guitars shimmer like waterfalls in the sun, bass, heavy like dew on the grass.
The title track is next and in a complete change of pace and feel it’s an autumnal piece. Woodwind instruments play out a pastoral piece over a minimal drum beat. It’s an arresting change of direction but doesn’t feel out of place. It works as an intro to the final track of the album.
The album closes out with ‘In The Long Run They Queered’. This was the first track I heard from the album early last year and immediately played it on my DKFM Radio Show in May. This remains my favourite Thee U.F.O track to this day. The dreamlike atmosphere, steady pace and hooky melody its just sublime and the perfect way to round out this collection of tracks.
As someone who absolutely loves ‘Ponderous Fug’ I wasn’t sure what I was going to make of this album. Thankfully the band have once again produced an assured and confident album that is brimming with interesting detail and a good variety of styles. I can see Beaming A Moments Reflection clocking in a great many hours on my turntable.
Beaming A Moments Reflection is out now on digital via Thee U.F.O’s Bandcamp and on purple and white marble vinyl via Fuzzed Up and Astromoon Records.
You can follow Thee U.F.O on social media here…
Discover more from Static Sounds Club
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Static Sounds Club 