Endless Valley
Kaskashir
4000/Copper Feast Records [2024]
Album Overview: Endless Valley is a Brisbane-based band known for their unique blend of progressive rock, world music, and psychedelic sounds. The band consists of five members—Luna on vocals and percussion, Cavell Schipp on rhythm guitar and vocals, Seb Ward on lead guitar, Brad Schipp on bass, and Nicole Perry on drums. Together, they create a rich, immersive experience through their music. The band’s name reflects the idea of endless connections across the globe, symbolizing the unity of diverse musical influences while its female lead gives them some distinction from their contemporaries. Kaskashir, the second album by Endless Valley, is a sonic exploration of mystical and ancient landscapes. It is characterized by a blend of traditional and modern elements, combining intricate rhythms and melodies with a powerful vocal presence. The album offers a journey through various moods and atmospheres, inviting listeners into a space where earthly concerns merge with transcendent visions. Kaskashir excels in everything one could want from a great psych record—big, sprawling song structures, a strong vocal presence that can cover the listener with intensity, and seamless stylistic transitions both in tempo and instrumentation. Endless Valley checks all the boxes and has released one of the better psychedelic world records this year!
Musical Style: Endless Valley’s music is a fusion of global rhythms and progressive rock, with layers of intricate instrumentation that create a textured and immersive sound. Their style is characterized by complex, driving rhythms and melodic arrangements that incorporate influences from various world music traditions, all woven together with a psychedelic sensibility.
Evolution of Sound: From their debut to Kaskashir, Endless Valley has deepened their exploration of global music traditions while expanding their progressive and psychedelic influences. This album marks a maturation in their sound, with more refined compositions and a greater emphasis on creating a cohesive, immersive experience that draws on a wider range of instruments and sonic textures.
Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of GOAT, Kikagaku Moyo, Kimono Drag Queens, Dead Can Dance, The Budos Band, and Golden Dawn Arkestra—artists who share a commitment to blending psychedelic and global influences in their music—will likely enjoy Endless Valley.
Pivotal Tracks: Some standout tracks on Kaskashir include “Opportunistic,” the first longer track on the record. At just over 7 minutes, it highlights Endless Valley’s ability to pivot quickly between instruments and tempo within their psychedelic style. It’s also the first track where you’ll hear the dynamic range of singer Luna, whose voice soars and adds an intriguing depth to the song. “Eastern Warrior” has a grooving intensity that showcases how Endless Valley can maintain high energy within a more traditional 4-minute runtime. I also really liked “The Sun,” particularly for its dynamic shifts in rhythm and melody, which give it a lighthearted, upbeat, and funky vibe. Finally, the over 10-minute closer, “Feel The Earth,” ends the album perfectly, with a trance-like flow that layers instruments to create a mesmerizing and immersive soundscape.
Lyrical Strength: The lyrics on Kaskashir focus on themes of unity with the Earth and the healing of the planet’s wounds. The band uses poetic imagery and evocative language to express a deep connection with nature and a longing for harmony between humanity and the natural world. The lyrics complement the music’s expansive and otherworldly qualities, enhancing the album’s overall impact.
ENDLESS VALLEY LINKS
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Copper Feast Records | 4000 Records
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