Tamesis – Magna Mater: EP Review

By Mike Ainscoe on 2nd May 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

Tamesis deliver unassuming but seductive psychedelic Folk Rock.

Release Date: 8th May 2024

Format: digital

Variously described as , ‘Witch Psychedelia’ and anything that involves a concoction of ghostly folk balladry and ritualistic, fret-shredding acid rock, Tamesis go all out in stirring up the power of Spring rebirth. Adding their own ‘South London Mystical Folk Rock Coven’ to the mix, the five tracks on Magna Mater showcase their visions via a beautifully conjured series of dreamy, mainly acoustic soundscapes.

On the other hand, Tamesis guitarist Joe Jones talks up the combination of “the quiet-loud dynamics of Pixies and 90’s grunge bands with an almost medieval folk element, with some heavy phaser distortion thrown in to channel a sort-of late-stage capitalist nervous breakdown!”

Last Flight sets the scene with a languid and unhurried sway. Ebbing and flowing gently across seven minutes, there are some Doors-y electric piano moments that drip into the acoustic landscape, yet the overarching impression is of being hypnotized by Maisie Ashford’s sublime vocal prowess to the extent that the acid trip guitar solo has been and gone unnoticed.

And while Cambridge Drive is a particularly dreamy continuation of the opening cut (all cycling in sunny England and backwards loops in the background) Raindance sees the balance readdressed with a strident Acid Folk Rocking jaunt, complete with period jangly guitar that morphs into a huge overdriven solo. Magic stirs up a psychedelia swirl against a tumble of drums – one right out of the Rosalie Cunningham/Rosco Wilson songbook – Joe taking the opportunity to cut loose amidst a busy percussion part. Travel back into the days of ‘special effect’ technology that used to blow our tiny minds on Top Of The Pops and imagine the lava lamp and heavily saturated visuals for this one.

The title track brings closure with the Tamesis signature now established – the deceptive lull of the calm before the storm. On this occasion there’s more control and restraint in the brooding climax. What’s maintained though is the experience of ‘close your eyes’ and allow yourself to be carried away, that many of us used to gain from the headphone era; strengthening the sense of otherworldiness contained within Magna Mater.

Here’s the band doing Last Flight from the EP, live at The Windmill, Brixton: