Psychic EP by Monster Rally: A Leftfield Gem That Sticks With You
Alright, let’s talk about Psychic EP by Monster Rally. Released back in 2015, this little treasure is one of those albums that sneaks up on you—like when you’re scrolling through Bandcamp late at night and suddenly hit play on something that makes your ears perk up like a dog hearing a whistle. It’s got this wild mix of genres: electronic beats mashed with pop hooks, folk vibes, world influences, and even some country twang. Yeah, it sounds like a lot, but somehow Monster Rally pulls it off without sounding like a chaotic mess.
The album’s got five tracks, all self-released under Not On Label (props to artists taking the DIY route), and Nick Carden mastered it—which honestly shows because everything feels crisp yet warm, like stepping into a cozy cabin with good vibes blaring from an old stereo.
Now, let me zoom in on two tracks that really stuck with me. First up, “Quiet Harlem.” This tune hits different—it starts off slow, almost dreamy, with these lush layers of sound building around you. It’s not trying too hard to impress; instead, it just lets you sink into its groove. The percussion feels like raindrops tapping on a window while synths swirl in the background like ghosts dancing in the fog. I don’t know what kind of sorcery Monster Rally used here, but it’s hypnotic. Every time I hear it, I picture myself wandering through a quiet city street at dawn, where the world hasn’t fully woken up yet. Weirdly cinematic for a track without lyrics, right?
Then there’s “Bus Ride,” which flips the script entirely. If “Quiet Harlem” is introspective and chill, “Bus Ride” is more playful and unpredictable. There’s this bouncy rhythm that feels like… well, exactly what it says on the tin—a bus ride! But not just any bus ride. Imagine cruising through a bustling neighborhood, windows down, catching snippets of conversations, street musicians strumming guitars, kids laughing somewhere far off. It’s chaotic but oddly comforting. What gets me every time is how Monster Ride blends samples and textures—it’s like eavesdropping on life itself, but filtered through a kaleidoscope. You can tell they had fun making this one.
Honestly, Psychic EP isn’t perfect. Some parts feel a bit scattered, like maybe Monster Rally was experimenting so much they forgot to tie everything together neatly. But honestly? That’s part of its charm. It doesn’t try to be polished or shiny—it’s raw, quirky, and unapologetically itself.
Here’s the thing though: after listening to this album, I couldn’t help but think about how music can transport you to places you’ve never been—or maybe places you didn’t even know existed. And then I realized… man, if Monster Rally ever made a full-length album, I’d probably lose my mind over it. Or maybe I’d just end up staring out the window for hours, lost in their sonic landscapes. Either way, count me in.
Oh, and P.S.—if you see Nick Carden mastering another project anytime soon, keep an eye out. Dude knows his stuff.
