You can never go wrong with a good chord.

Written with his longtime collaborator Matt Yoka, Ty Segall released his new album, Possession, on May 30th. Starting in July, Segall will tour with his full band, following the release of his 16th album, which features storytelling lyrics and an acoustic guitar backbone.

The album opens with “Shoplifter,” a track that introduces listeners to the album’s acoustic guitar backbone. The track also features violin and other orchestral instruments, which contribute to the overall movement of the piece. “Possession” is a track that opens brightly with electric guitar and lovely downward chord progressions. The repetition of the song title makes it easy to sing along. “Buildings” features a dark, heavy and groovy intro, with orchestrations added back in. The vocals are reminiscent of The Beatles and Red Hot Chili Peppers, adding a layer of intrigue to the album as a whole. The drums are not overly elaborate but they work. “Shining” has a very grainy bass line in comparison to the rest of the songs and it experiments with intervals. So far, many of the choruses on this album sound very similar. “Skirts of Heaven” begins with vocals and guitar and then bass and drums are introduced to lead into a catchy chorus.

“Fantastic Tomb” finally showcases the drums and contains a solid bass line that acts as a strong foundation for the vocals and the organ. This track is undoubtedly the highlight of the album, as it features more intricate layering of instruments than the rest of the tracks. “The Big Day” introduces a saxophone into the mix and the lyrics tell listeners that “love is here to stay.” “Hotel” has a groovy, almost psychedelic feel and the instruments emphatically move around again. This track allows the sounds to become a bit creepy and chaotic but they mix well. “Alive” has a driving, bright acoustic intro. The vocals are rather raw and stripped down at the start and then the track adds some fast-paced vocals, only to conclude in the same way it began. The album closes with “Another California Song,” which tells listeners about how Segall loves the people in his life. A brass line is added towards the end of the album, creating an overall catchy track to conclude the album.

Segall creates a concise and comprehensive album. The instrumentals stand out, making this album a worthwhile listen for any music enthusiast. While the choruses are similar, they ultimately complement the album’s general theme, making listeners instantly hooked.