We covered Art Feynman’s new single “Feeling Good About Feeling Good” back in May. We knew it was good. What we didn’t know — Or maybe we did, and didn’t tell you? Who can say? — was that Mr. Art Feynman is none other than Luke Temple, the prolific psych-pop recording artist behind Here We Go Magic. Temple was a fixture in my junior year dorm room bong sessions in college. There was something beautifully mysterious and vast in his 2008 debut as Here We Go Magic. At the same time, its songs felt approachable, familiar, comfortable. A few albums later, while the music remained tasteful and workmanlike (“Collector” is still a fuckin’ grade-A jam), the mystery had vanished.
I imagine Luke Temple’s return journey toward that beautiful and mysterious vastness brought him to his latest project as Art Feynman. Blast Off Through The Wicker, due out this Friday, is a return to the sonic adventurousness and vague afro-leanings of Here We Go Magic’s debut. Temple recorded the new album himself after decamping from the East Coast to Point Reyes, a small city in Marin County, CA, and there’s a warmth here that can’t be faked. Throughout, Temple reveals himself to be a capable filter for his influences, from the Soundway Records guitar tones to the dub bass lines that characterize the record’s sound. Yet the whole thing is still unmistakably him.
“Can’t Stand It” is reflective of the record’s mega-chill yet uptempo vibe, and though it surprises me to say that it sounds like a Jessy Lanza song recorded by Group Bombino, sung by a regular dude with a reedy voice, and produced by Lee “Scratch” Perry, that’s what it sounds like. Even with the reedy regular dude at point guard and Lanza’s terrible post play, I’d take that team over any NBA superteam, including Golden State and the 95-96 Bulls. In other words, it’s a good song.
Tiny Mix Tapes is happy to premiere “Can’t Stand It” in advance of Blast Off Through The Wicker, available for pre-order here and out July 14 on Western Vinyl. Check below the embed for dates from his tour with Lætitia Sadier from Stereolab.
Tour with Lætitia Sadier (Stereolab):
08.04.17 - Jersey City, NJ - Monty Hall
08.05.17 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s
08.06.17 - Washington, DC - DC9
08.08.17 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
08.09.17 - Asheville, NC - The Mothlight
08.10.17 - Nashville, TN - Third Man Records
08.11.17 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre
08.12.17 - Orlando, FL - Will’s Pub
More about: Art Feynman, Here We Go Magic, Luke Temple
