Gut Reaction:

The Gonzo Spirituality of the Junkyard

Greetings, treasure-divers, to our second, trash-coded addition of Gut Reaction, our personal thrift store of forgotten maximalist treasures just begging to be dusted off and cherished for years to come. While our Dissection Table series is like taking a magnifying glass to a single, angry ant, Gut Reaction is more like watching the graceful little guys run around in a uranium glass jar. Ehhh, they’re probably okay in there, right? It’s like the radiation equivalent of a banana, isn’t it?

Today we’re looking at albums best described as thrifted heirlooms: a gaudy green couch with outdated prints, suspiciously cheap red shoes in a plastic bag, and whatever rubble your country street’s doomed thrift store shucks out before they foreclose. These albums share within them a deeply tender obsession for the quiet charm left in forgotten junk, and each bares a progressive vibe that sets a strong atmosphere. You know when listening to these albums that they were loved before you, and somehow, that makes them even richer. What stories might they tell if they could speak? Well, lucky for you, these treasures have vocals.

As always, I’d like to remind you to add these genre-salvaged works of art to your Bandcamp account (or consider even a physical copy!). Art thrives when we support what we love, so show this magical, musical junkyard it deserves a second chance. Thanks so much for stopping by to this thrift-themed edition of Gut Reactions. We hope to see you back with us at the bins soon!

  • Groovy, mysterious Japanese acid folk meets progressive psychedelic rock in this salt-kissed album which evokes the image of an impossible, mystical island. The lyrics may sound Japanese, but it’s actually Japanese-like gibberish, which further emphasizes the coastline it makes you hallucinate isn’t really there. There’s an effortlessness to the whole album that makes it hard not to nod your head to the beat and crave a piña colada. Perfect for finding shapes in the clouds while high on acid or—for the decerning gentlemen—I suppose a beachside picnic could also do.

    Favorite: “Cardboard Pile”

  • Get ready to dive into the bins; this album is full-on thrift energy, but that’s not an insult. It’s like going to the back of a Goodwill and finding a shelf filled with treasures, like the perfect pair of earrings (how on earth did they not notice those were authentic pearls?). It’s pearls all the way done here, with songs that melt genre. Usually, things have a trance/house-like vibe, but the album dares to explore, venturing into indie pop, spoken word, and more. Most songs feature guest artists, causing the whole thing to feel like a collaborative patchwork quilt. Everyone brought their finest fabric for this one. Yet, there’s an unease to it all. Despite so many songs about love, it feels like a butterfly trapped behind glass, just out of reach. The result is something truly hypnotic.

    Favorite: “Reka”

  • HONK self-labels their genre as “trash can country,” but may I propose “yeehaw psychedelia?” This album exudes the energy of a one-horse town’s sole watering hole spiked with shrooms. The sheriff believes the coyotes speak prophecy, the postman’s speaking in tongues, and the preacher’s left it all to chase the little green men. At its heart, this EP is three very unusual things: acid rock, grungy country, and progressive post-punk. Despite sounding like an alien crash-landed in the middle of a square-dance, it works. Something’s a little off in the o’ saloon tonight. Shit is getting hella energetic.

    Favorite: “Duck Duck Goose”