In this day and age, it is really hard to stand out and make a statement with your music…not because there’s no originality left but because there’s so much that’s already been done that it’s hard to not be derivative in some way. Which is why it’s especially exhilarating when a group like Kimono Drag Queens comes along to flip the script on previously tried tropes like they do on Songs Of Worship.
Sydney septet Kimono Drag Queens conjure up sounds that are both familiar yet fresh and comforting yet complex within their stunning debut beginning with a title track that is kind of this glorious throwback to ’70’s mysticism and Psych Rawk and akin to what we think Fleetwood Mac and The Moody Blues would sound like if they formed a supergroup and began today.
“Hunters In The Snow” moves and grooves, propelled by lively percussion from Amy Yoshiko alongside Billy Minett’s drumming and William Wood’s driving bass sound. Capped off by some stellar shredding from Harry Webber, Zeppelin Hamilton, and Will Coleman with an equally stunning merging of Webber, Coleman, and Kellie Banyai’s vocals transport “Hunters In The Snow” into another realm of musical magnificence that’s a trip and a half.
“Delilah” shimmers as it bounces, diving into a breakdown reminiscent of Monster Magnet’s earlier daze/days while “Wild Animals’ is a bluesy, trippy, psychedelic fuzzy behemoth that cements Kimono Drag Queens’ place as supreme sorcerers of modern Psych Rawk.
“Evil Desires” has an Ian Brown air to it (Stone Roses or solo) leading toward the grand finale of “Willy’s World” which takes listeners on a winding road of kaleidoscopic sounds with transcendent tones trickling out, tickling and tantalizing your eardrums until the very last chord rings out.
Songs Of Worship arrives on November 6th through Copper Feast Records. You can pre-order your copy today by clicking here or here. For the latest on Kimono Drag Queens, follow them across their socials by heading here or here.