When compiling their roster, NYC-based label Sacred Bones show no geographical or stylistic bias. They’re home to a variety of acts, from Swedish electronic project Lust for Youth to hard-rocking locals The Men. As a part of Secretly Canadian’s distribution group, they enable many artists – international and not – to get heard. Sacred Bones’ fruitful exploration into the Chilean psych-rock scene has resulted in two signings, The Holydrug Couple and Föllakzoid. Both acts are fond of swelling kraut-rock epics and developmental songwriting. Föllakzoid releases their second album, II, this week. The band is comprised of several multi-talented artists that have known each other since childhood. Several specialize in visual mediums; Diego (drums) is a photographer and Domingo (guitarist) is a filmmaker. He just premiered his first full-length movie, Partir to Live. Of the other two members, Alfredo (synth) is an architect and frontman Juan Pablo is a producer of the Sangre Fresca Music Festival in Santiago, Chile. Suffice to say, it’s clear to see why it takes the band several years between albums. Their busy schedule inspires a patient approach, and with II it pays off.
Sacred Bones has made several tracks from Föllakzoid available for streaming. I put my favorite up top. The trippy “Rio” shows the band’s capable synth/guitar infusions in hypnotic form. As nonchalant vocals reminiscent of Paul Banks remain hushed in the distance, a hazy synth line dances among increasingly thick guitar reverberations. These range in tone from rhythmic crunchiness to wailing melancholy. It’s a wide palate of sounds, and one that aptly defines the ambitious nature of Föllakzoid’s entrancing music.
