The cool psych of Australia’s Kimono Drag Queens get well mined on their debut album, Songs Of Worship.

Release date: 6th November 2020

Label: Copper Feast Records

Format: DL / CD / vinyl

Hooked, nay seduced, by the opening title track, and swirling visions of hot and yellow desert streams, we found ourselves in for the relaxed psychedelic cruise with the wonderfully named Kimono Drag Queens. And when the guitar player is called Zeppelin Hamilton…

Inevitably the awesome foursome is now at the forefront of my thoughts, so excuse any Zep-related musings and we’re on with the bell-bottoms, out with the fisheye lens and we’re off with Songs Of Worship.

Their debut album immediately swings into the sort of understated west coast groove that former bare-chested rock god Planty now finds oozing out of his band of sensational shapeshifters or strange sensations.

Hunters In The Snow stabs with a razor riff that’s underpinned by a percussive vibe that tales off into a spacious atmosphere, while the single Delilah has less in common with Tom Jones than it does with the aforementioned Zeppelin. Why, why, why? you may ask. It’s more about a kaleidoscopic that swims in on a gentle wave of mystical lightness then shifts gear into a snaking presence, tribal beats and slabs of guitar punch.

Psychedelic worlds and world music blend with a big band presence – think Arcade Fire in a time travel machine. It’s a hypnotic collage and draws us under a spell in the same way that The Verve used to do when they got it together and to add to the list of compliments, this could comfortably sit with the Hillage/Gong catalogue.

Wild Animals offers an alternative dance experience with some funky chops and intricate guitar work. It almost feels calypso at the start and very upbeat. A moment of musical lightnesssoon picked off by the escapism of Willy’s World. The strong bass presence heading towards down under dub and a prime candidate for an extended 12″ mix.

Three of the tracks have already been released as singles so at six songs, Songs Of Worship feels just short of a track (or two). The thought occurs that they could have boldly stepped out of the dreamy haze and offered a glimpse of what else lies beneath. Like most good things though, we always want more and too much of a good thing leaves one wanting less. If that makes sense, it could be the Drag Queens’ justification.

In the meantime, don’t let it put anyone off taking a brief trip on the transcendental plane.

Listen to Delilah here:

Kimono Drag Queens online: Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp

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