Album Review: Ethyl Ether – Chrome Neon Jesus (Mongrel Records)

Chrome Neon Jesus is the new album from Ethyl Ether, a four-piece rock band from Cape Town, South Africa. The band formed just over 3 years and have been gigging regularly around Cape Town’s music venues as well as releasing 2 albums ’The Pleasure Room’ and ‘Museum Of Human Error’ plus a live EP ‘Into Chaos’.

The release of ‘Chrome Neon Jesus’ sees the end of a two-year labour of love and they are thrilled to finally present the album to the public. Their sound has toughened up and they’ve added a load of psychedelic textures to their sound. The album explores the darker, grittier side of life and reflects their experiences and observations on everyday living.

Chrome Neon Jesus will be released on May 15th 2020 digital platforms via Mongrel Records.

An unexpected start, The Smoke Waits for No Man’s soft melody, haunting effects and eerie tone is very atmospheric. It builds a reflective tone before unleashing a harder yet incredibly catchy set of rocking riffs and later in its run-time, a banging guitar solo.

Taking that incredible guitar work and injecting psych elements and introducing powerful vocals, Ode really sees Ethyl Ether step their game up.

Keeping things rocking but chilled, Under the Milky Way conjures up images of drifting through space. Therapy? then ramps up the psychedelic edge, the guitars reaching almost hallucinogenic levels. Before Voodoo and Cold Black Soul go all out for a pair of rocking, foot-tapping energy driven efforts.

Jammed in between them, a little bit more sleaze. If that is what you’re after, look no further then Diamonds. The guitars are on fire here but all credit to the sultry vocal performance too.

As great as an overall experience as Chrome Neon Jesus is, it must be said that the best stuff comes in the latter half. From the previously mentioned tracks, to the excellent relaxed vibes of Faces and the pairing of Is Anybody Different? and Higher than Drugs. A light and airy double that puts a big smile on the face.

Ethyl Ether – Chrome Neon Jesus Full Track Listing:

1. The Smoke Waits For No Man
2. Ode
3. Under the Milky Way
4. Therapy?
5. Voodoo
6. Diamonds
7. Cold Black Soul
8. Faces
9. Is Anybody Different?
10. Higher than Drugs (ft Melina)

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