MONOPHONICS Vinilo y CD

Review: Monophonics' fifth studio album since 2012 is a real doozy. It invites you to the opening of Sage Motel, a place where all the ups and downs and human existence can be experienced. Dreams are made, hearts are broken, and all produced by bandleader Kelly Finnigan in a record that captures a timeless psychedelic soul sound with psych-rock overtones. The album is packed with heart aching high lights and that famous vintage aesthetic, with 'Warpaint' being perfectly indicative of what to expect from it overall.

Review: Monophonics haven't been on the scene since 2012, but they're now back with their fifth LP, grandly unveiling the new bougie build that is Sage Motel. Blending heavy-hearted soul with psych rock - and building off the sound that earned them their standing as one of the most impactful modern soul bands of this generation - lead single 'Warpaint' works in a lo-fi proggy soul that recalls Gnarls Barkley or Lee Fields, with lyrics singing of something beautifully simple and endemic to soul: not being able to climb down off a high.

Review: San Francisco psychedelic soul ensemble Monophonics were once described by Stax Records co-owner Al Bell as "one of the best soul bands I have ever seen", which is high praise indeed. Mirrors, which comes pressed onto clear green vinyl, is the combo's fifth full-length and first album for three years. It's a surprisingly breezy and eclectic affair, with the band variously turning their hands to bluesy, Rare Earth style funk-rock ("Lying"), Hammond-heavy peak-time business (a tasty cover of Frankie Valli's "Beggin"), spiraling instrumental wig-outs (fabulous closer "California Dreaming"), heart-aching torch songs ("My Heart Cries") and laidback, acid-fried Balearic soul (opener "Summer Breeze"). In other words, it's a fine album that sparkles from start to finish.

Review: For fans of 60s/70s soul, American Psych-Soul band Monophonics have released another 45 from their acclaimed 2022 album 'Sage Motel'. Frontman and LA native, Kelly Finnigan is the conductor of this train taking the listener through a journey of Bay-area psych guitars, 60s soul trumpets and Motown influences sprinkled here and there, printed on a limited swirled 7" disc. Side B's 'Crash & Burn' is the mellow ballad that succeeds Side A's 'Warpaint', originally the ninth track on the ten-track LP. A sombre, wistful track that sees Finnigan's keyboard skills on full display, the psychedelic elements taking over, having an element of St Vincent's groovy 2021 album 'Daddy's Home' in its warbling synths and hippie-esque percussion. You don't know whether you want to cry to it or get high to it, or both.

Review: American psychedelic soul band Monophonics, together with lead vocalist Kelly Finnigan, are back once more with the single version of their most recent album highlight, the vocal hooker-inner 'Love You Better'. The band's tight instrumentation are laid down rather effortlessly, and come as testament to their ability to shine through a strongly warm, lo-fi sound. Lyrically, the song is bittersweet, with both Finnigan's solos and choral backing vocals pining after what could've been, despite the song commanding a new-leafy, life-goes-on mood of confidence.