The sophomore album from Los Angeles-based band Poppy Roscoe succeeds in its concept-forward art-rock sound, bolstered by a creative video that spans across the full release. Sea Fortune and the Desert Rats tells the adventure of three rats from the desert, set amidst a dynamic rock production and captivating visual accompaniment. The band’s members make frequent appearances in the video, dancing in psychedelic environments, playing on a virtual stage, getting locked in some tiny prison, and well beyond. The visual splendor bolsters the compelling musical qualities with creative precision.
The album’s eclectic tonal range is aptly represented by the video’s wide array of tones and colors, from the colorful psychedelic skies within “Desert Rats (We’ll All Carry On)” to the nocturnal urbanity within “Traffic Lights.” The music itself is equally consuming. “Dawn Patrol” excels with its brisk, retro-feeling guitar work and sporadic celebratory-feeling vocal impact, while “Highway Blur” enthralls in its twangy guitars and delectably dazed vocals. Melody and atmosphere impress throughout.
The album represents another creative entry from the project, eventually culminating in the release of their “magnum opus,” — A Grand-Semiseria Opera (with kabuki elements).
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“Desert Rats” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of November 2023’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
