A new Ty Segall album is always a cause for celebration around these parts. Often lumped in with the Californian garage rock scene, Segall’s music has always delved into other musical realms, and if you thought you knew what Ty Segall was all about, think again. ‘Harmonizer’ is Ty’s thirteenth studio solo album, and this time he’s managed to combine those heavier than hell guitar riffs with synth melodies, for a new kind of Segall sound.
For a musician who usually releases several albums a year under various guises, it’s been a long two years since 2019’s album ‘Freedom’s Goblin’ and where that album had huge sounding melodies and big guitar riffs, ‘Harmonizer’ takes that ethos, and turns the distortion up to eleven.
He’s made no secret of his admiration for bands like Hawkwind and Black Sabbath and on tracks like ‘Whisper’ and ‘Erased’ the groove laden sludgy riffs power the whole tune along, with Segall’s multi-tracked harmonising vocals adding to the psyched up beauty of it all. ‘Waxman’ is one of the biggest sounding tunes you’ll hear all year, with distortion in abundance yet Segall never loses track of a decent melody or riff in the dense soundscape, whereas ‘Play’ has soaring guitar riffs echoing over a funked up melody and ‘Feel Good’ has Ty’s wife Denee Segall, on lead vocals for a gloriously heavy glam rock stomper of a tune.
‘Harmonizer’ was recorded in Ty’s own just completed studio of the same name, and what a way to christen it, with another fine addition to the Segall stack of releases. A welcome return from the Californian guitar king.
Ty Segall: Harmonizer – Out Now (Drag City)
From the early days of creating handmade zines, in a DIY paper and glue style, interviewing bands around town, then pestering Piccadilly Records to sell them, to writing for various independent mags such as Chimp and Ablaze, writing about the music I love is still a great passion. After testing the music industry waters in London with stints at various labels, being back in my hometown again, writing about this city’s vibrant music scene is as exciting as ever. All time favourite bands include Sonic Youth, Nick Cave, Patti Smith although anything from electro to folk via blues and pysch rock will also do nicely too. A great album, is simply a great album, regardless of whatever musical cage you put it in.
