Incredibly fun instrumentals underneath dark subject matter
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets’ fourth full-length album, SHYGA! The Sunlight Mound, draws inspiration from much of the late 1960s psychedelic rock, with lyrics delving into the ideas surrounding escapism, primarily through the means of alcohol and drugs. However, above it all, the sound reiterates an upbeat mood, as if placing the listener into the position of bliss only achieved through the substances it mentions.
However with the song “Mr. Prism,” one cannot help but to wonder if there is a larger influence at play. With a lyric indicating “twenty-twenty dreams,” there is a clear nod to the year in which most were confined to the home. The imagery in the chorus—combining the idea of “new year,” “yellow” and “pneumonia gallows” in an incredibly catchy hook—has its roots in the idea of an uprooted life. Noting that the titular character has been urged to stop smoking, the song descends into the ideal life of escaping, pressing into a primal need to not worry about the problems that are inherently harmful to the self.
“Mundungus” continues this narrative of being urged to quit substance abuse. With little other interest than going back to the comfort of it, the song’s loud, overlapping instrumentals almost seem punk in its influence. The biting lyrics contrast with the more upbeat songs on SHYGA! The Sunlight Mound, reflecting the descent to madness that the narrator feels by neglecting comforts. While still catchy, it inherently has a bit of bite to it that distinguishes it from the other parts of the album.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, “Mango Terrarium” takes this drug-fueled mania to the extreme. The song’s lyricality reminds one of late ‘60s Beatles psychedelic influences, with a joyful riff reiterating the contradictory, dream-like imagery. Chord progressions lead the listener into almost a trance, its repetition mimicking the chorus. The explosion of noise, overlapping voices and the chorus at the end of the song makes it appear almost as a delusion to the listener.
Similarly, “Tripolasuar” and “Pukebox” follow the idea of relapse, with a more common rock riff. The groove is inherently there, it is nearly impossible to feel the music when listening. With the overlapping production, there is clearly a battle of voices that is inherent in even the subject matter itself. These songs allow for one to understand the psychological conflicts present. Especially with instrumental breaks, they act as a mediator between the two extremes noted above.
The most distinct song on the album, “Sawtooth Monkfish,” reflects a sense of paranoia in an idyllic neighborhood setting. Contemplating the ideas of how to calm oneself, the chorus has a powerful sentiment that reiterates the paradoxical unreality of the situation. With hard rock influence, this song sounds heavier compared to the songs that have a more psychedelic rock influence. It seems much more powerful and assertive than the helplessness of some songs in the album reiterate in its narrator.
Although, it should be noted that “Tally-Ho” is one of the strongest songs on the album, one that is undeniably fun. The song is the most powerful because it’s so unapologetic. With high levels of imagery, there is a combination of hard rock and psychedelic images that give a truly explosive opening to the album. It is truly a showcase of Psychedelic Porn Crumpets’ talent as musicians.
Overall, SHYGA! The Sunshine Mound is a noisy, fun acid trip that makes the listener deal with ideas of substance abuse. The parallels of the catchy, psychedelic-rock instrumentals and dark lyrics are fascinatingly complex. Truly, the record’s strength lies in the balance of these two elements.
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