Triptides is shedding the word “psychedelic” from its vocabulary. Maybe because after over a decade of adventurous songs and albums across genres and styles—ranging from bedroom pop to prog rock to Laurel Canyon country—the term “interdimensional” feels more appropriate to the Southern California-based band.
Driven by the songwriting mind of multi-instrumentalist Glenn Brigman with longtime collaborator and multi-instrumentalist Stephen Burns, Triptides is moving through a galaxy of music following only their own compass. And with their latest album, “Starlight” (coming April 2023 via Curation Records), the duo proves there is a lot more they wish to explore.
In an almost-jazzy fusion of electric keyboard textures and dancefloor grooves, the latest eleven-song LP dips and dives into the worlds of Stereolab, Steely Dan and Cortex. With tightly interwoven rhythm guitars and basslines, coupled with Brigman’s keen sense of melody and harmony, there’s a new energy shining through with “Starlight”.
It’s quite a departure from last year’s laid back acoustic strummer, “So Many Days”, and it’s lightyears from the surf-rock-cassette era of the group. But despite the unexpected movements, from the sounds and structures, you can instantly tell that it’s Triptides behind the wheel—ready to launch you to another star.