Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats is back with a new album, and it's dark and heavy. AF. A concept project built around the idea of a dystopian society—"a land where people live in walled cities, under heavy surveillance, cut off and in fear of one another," explains Kevin Starrs— the 8-tracker unloads noisy psychedelia-stoner-rock vibes from the opening seconds. The sound is irresistibly raw, combining slashing guitar chords with war-ready drums and pulsing bass. Uncle Acid's signature double-tracked vocals grind over the instrumentals w/ an unprecedented emphasis on melody and harmony, and despite the more dire direction and feel of the LP, Wasteland might be the most infectious work from the UK group. Highlights include: "Stranger Tonight," "No Return," "Shockwave City," and the title track.

• black sparkle vinyl
• includes iron-on t-shirt transfer
• music label: Rise Above Records 2018

reviewed by singing in japanese 10/18