Psych / Garage Rock

Review: Matador has released the long awaited reissue of Bardo Pond's iconic 1999 album Set and Setting, remastered and pressed on striking purple vinyl. Known for their expansive and immersive sound, Bardo Pond's Set and Setting remains a standout in their discography, featuring the epic eleven-minute opener 'Walking Stick Man' and the intense single 'This Time (So Fucked)'. This album captures the band at a peak moment, blending heavy psychedelia with sprawling sonic landscapes. Set and Setting might not be Bardo Pond's heaviest record, but it's certainly among their fuzziest. With the fuzz dialed up to eleven, the album teeters on the edge of sonic overload, creating a swirling, sludgy atmosphere that's a dream for those who love their rock dense and gritty. Bardo Pond's music can be challenging to categorise, with their discography swinging from focused psych-rock to sprawling, loose jams. In the 90s, they didn't capture the mainstream attention of bands like Sonic Youth or Mudhoney, but they carved out a unique niche, blending shoegaze, desert rock and Krautrock influences into a potent, heady mix. Set and Setting, though perhaps not the easiest entry point into their catalog, encapsulates the band's distinct approach. While it might lack traditional hooks or radio-friendly tracks, it's rich in the droning, psychedelic explorations that define their work. For those who crave unfiltered, immersive jams, Set and Setting stands as a prime example of Bardo Pond's enduring appeal.

Review: Melt Away, the forthcoming double LP compilation, offers rare tracks and outtakes from Bardo Pond's peak creative period in the late 90s. A gem from this collection, 'The Trail', initially featured on the 1997 compilation What's Up Matador, encapsulates the essence of fleeting momentsiits six-minute journey is ethereal and immersive, urging listeners to linger. Bardo Pond, the American psychedelic rock ensemble formed in 1991, continues to captivate with their immersive soundscapes. Their music blends elements of space rock, acid rock, and shoegazing, often drawing comparisons to Pink Floyd, Spacemen 3 and My Bloody Valentine. Their work is characterised by droning guitars, heavy distortion and enveloping feedback and rooting in ecstatic jazz and avant-garde influences, creating a dreamlike experience that transcends conventional understanding. If that sounds like your thing, dive in.