Road Trip Listens With The Psychedelic Porn Crumpets

The arrival of new Psychedelic Porn Crumpets music always lands with a crash; a cacophony of sounds wrapped up in the weirdly wonderful brand of vibrancy only the WA group can harness.

Here, the band presents their latest collection of warped and vibrant ideas – their fifth studio album, NIGHT GNOMES. Following on from 2021’s acclaimed record SHYGA! The Sunlight Mound, this record sees Psychedelic Porn Crumpets explore more sonic influences and creative tangents than before. Stemming from the curious brain of songwriter Jack McEwan, the album flourishes upon a foundation of beloved psych and classic rock influences; while threads of contemporary and exciting sounds add elevation to the core Psychedelic Porn Crumpets sound.

Featuring singles Bubblegum Infinity, Lava Lamp Pisco, Acid Dent and Dread & Butter, Night Gnomes throws the listener into a range of different sonic territories and emotional fields. Written in WA during yet another year of lockdowns, McEwan’s sense of isolation and the mania that accompanied being off-road and out of sync with the normalcy he and the band had been used to, is poured into the making of the record.

Songs like Bubblegum Infinity and Sherbert Straws hint towards more melodic pop moments, swapping the chunky distorted guitars with lofty vocals and addictive melancholic-pop hooks. And at the same time, songs like Lava Lamp Pisco and Bob Holiday take a deep dive into a harder rock territory that Psychedelic Porn Crumpets fans will furiously lap up.

Luke Parish (Rish) from the band takes time out to share an exclusive road trip listens playlist.

Gregorian Chance – Nolan Potter
We used to always spin Nolans first record (Nightmare forever) on car trips and were eagerly looking forward to his sophomore release, it did not fail to disappoint with Gregorian Chance absolutely nailing a blend of flutes and tasteful guitar/bass playing and just such a an awesome feel.

Only She Knows – Loving
The tunes in the car aren’t always high energy, in fact most of the time we listen to far more chilled out stuff out of pure exhaustion from the energy and intensity of the live shows, I found Loving somewhere amidst a long US tour and was absolutely hooked on the melancholic feel of the songs, perfect for staring out the window on a long car journey.

Palace Doctor – Thee Oh Sees
After so many records and styles Oh Sees are still one of my all time favourite bands and are still producing such hard hitting quality music, Palace doctor is from the album Mutilator Defeated At Last, a sprawling heavy psych record that was a sign of heavier things to come in the future, a good one for staying awake.

It’s Over Again – Mild High Club
Good Track, good mix, good feel and another 10/10 release for Mild High Club, I’ve been following Alex since the first record dropped and his production just keeps getting tighter and more refined, it’s actually insane. I guess when I’m writing these as singles I’m kind of talking about the whole record too as we tend to listen to albums start to finish on car trips, I rarely listen to playlists or single tracks.

Videotape – Dirty Art Club
From the album FTMI which is only third to my two favourite plunderphonics records of all time Since I Left You and Wildflower. Maybe all these songs are just the best music to listen to while looking out of a car window, so top 10 window gazers, watching the world fly past.

Thought Ballune – Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Because its UMO, also another album listen though, probably changed music for a lot of us and the way guitars could be used.

Another Life – D’angelo
One of my favourite albums production wise, and also just a wide array of moods and 10/10 musicianship.

Eyeless – Slipknot
Ok this ones in there because the self titled record is a mainstay on tours, I think everyone eventually succumbs to how gnarly the record is, it’s usually me doing it to annoy people but then everyone no matter how hungover they are will head bang at some point.

Bounce – System of A Down
Kind of the same reasons as above, definitely a good amp up album for the car and before shows.

Strings of Light – Yussef Kamaal
Everyone in the band has such diverse music tastes and this album is a frequent flier, Just such a perfect blend of drum and bass breaks with modern jazz fusion, last time we span this i think was driving up Mount Wellington in Tasmania and it was snowing and we didn’t know if the car would be able to get back down the mountain.

Catch the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets on the following dates…