And TheSlacks are back! New album Information Ape is out on 3rd May and I will be listening! The promo single for the release is the gorgeous, whimsical Crystal Mountain High. Lemme tell you about the song…

The band brings us a blend of folk, rock and country that cracks a mile wide smile through the autumnal clouds above my South Wairarapa home. With ukelele, guitars, some banjo if I ain’t mistook, and an absolute earworm melody, we have a great pick to flag the release of the album with.

So very reminiscent of Neil Young in vocal timbre, with a somewhat Mumford & Sons feel to the mix, this is a festival-goer’s dream number. With a happy, yet somehow melancholy melody we find ourselves being told the tale of festivals past – in particular the fun times had at Luminate Festival with the audience churning the ground in front of the stage to mud, then proceeding to carry out multiple full body slides, completely starkers, as the band played. What a time to be an earthworm!

The music video for the track is hopefully out at the same time as the single so you can get a little look at what I’m referring to. The vid is a charming series of live shots of the band playing, or having adventures in and around their shows. We do indeed get to see some of the mud sliders, so if you’re easily offended just watch anyway and lighten the eff up.

The track is well mixed and mastered by Sam Johnson and the band, at Oakura’s Rhythm Ace Studios. Nice job done here, with the folkie sound coming across as earnest and warm, with a rich and full bottom end underscoring the guitars, uke and other lead tools used. If this is indicative of the album, we’re in for a real treat. I’m excited.

It’s poppy enough for mainstream radio, so I hope to hear it on the likes of More FM and that commercial stream, as well as the likes of 99bFM, Active, RDU etc. This is a band that’s absolutely in their stride, and you need to check them out wherever they are playing next.

Once the album is on the Spotify I will be adding it, so keep your ear to the ground for 3rd May. TheSlacks are comin’ atcha!