Yuuf—Mt. Sava

This is another album that arrived as something of a revelation. I go through a lot of music each week. Sometimes a record captures me immediately and other times I have to set it aside and return to it, which was the case here. I love Pink Floyd and I am always searching for something that taps into those same sensibilities. I sensed a hint of that in this release, but I needed to be in the right frame of mind to give it the attention it deserves, and now feels like that moment.

First off, let me address the genres I assigned to this release. The band I think describe themselves as something close to global psychedelia, but after listening to this album I came away with a much broader impression. I will get into that more as I go through the individual tracks.

The EP opens with "Moon Dive", carried by chilled guitar and subtle percussion. The track creates the sense of staring into a limitless expanse, where everything feels unhurried and suspended. For a brief stretch, time becomes irrelevant as the sound draws you further and further into its calm, distant atmosphere.

With "Night Air" some of the world influences begin to surface. There are hints of Africa in the driving beat and in the melody, which at times carries your imagination into something almost dance-like, rhythmic and hypnotic. The track feels alive, as though it is pulling you into its movement rather than simply playing in the background.

"Ørken Bloom" carries a strong Americana feel, almost like a cue from a classic spaghetti western. The opening bars in particular seem clearly inspired by Enio Morricones theme for The Good The Bad and the Ugly, setting a vivid scene before the track unfolds. What makes it stand out is the way that familiar style is fused with something far more contemporary, giving the piece both nostalgia and freshness.

Taking a 90-degree turn, "Calima" feels almost like a lullaby. It carries my mind through a gentle waltz, conjuring a romantic image, yet there is also a subtle sense of something hidden in plain sight. This elusive undercurrent is hard to define, but it adds a quiet, compelling intrigue to the piece.

There is a definite Eastern influence on "Mesa Pt. 1", and interestingly, it also evokes a hint of The Doors. Perhaps it’s the kind of open invitation that makes you imagine Jim Morrison narrating one of his more unconventional, trippy poems.

What feels like a natural extension comes next with "Mesa Mesa". Its faster-paced opening soon evolves into something heavier, and at times I detected hints of Daevid Allen and early Gong, while the underlying Americana feel remains ever present.

I also have to highlight the live video recording of this EP, featured on YouTube. It’s truly terrific and makes me eager to see the band perform in person someday.

For me, this EP, and the band as a whole, has been an incredible discovery. I’m always searching for music I can lose myself in with headphones on, and this delivers that transportive experience. For me, it joins the likes of "Dark Side of The Moon" and "Tubular Bells", wordless soundscapes that truly come alive when you submit your attention to them.