Waui

This is a perfect example of transcending “record collector rock.” One-man-band Will Twynham clearly knows his psychedelic stuff and isn’t afraid to overtly reference lots of touchstones that an old school record shop dude might give you the hard sell on: Loop, Can, Love, Syd Barrett, Add N to (X), Silver Apples, 13th Floor Elevators, and a whole of lot more obscure acts besides (as well as more populist ones, e.g. there are lashings of T Rex here). But the miracle of this debut album is that he doesn’t sound like he’s copying anything, nor reverently presenting the past as superior. It’s more like he’s opened up a portal into some oil-wheel-lit Burroughsian interzone just outside of time where freaks from through the ages commune and swap smokes and harpsichord amplification tips. It’s vivid, alive, exciting and gigantic fun.