The Royal Arctic Institute - The Royal Arctic Institute

New York's The Royal Arctic Institute formed in 2016 and are Drummer Lyle Hysen (The Misguided/Das Damen/Arthur Lee), Guitarist John Leon (Roky Erickson/Summer Wardrobe/Abra Moore), Guitarist Chris Robertson (Elk City/James Mastro) and Bassist David Motamed (The Misguided/Das Damen/Cell/Two Dollar Guitar/Arthur Lee). I first heard about the band from Lyle's interview with the Performance Anxiety channel on Youtube and as a huge Das Damen fan, there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity to review a related project.

The band's name is a reference to Philip Pullman's fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials and prior releases include 2017's The French Method, 2018's Accidental Achievement and 2021's Sodium Light. There's also 2023's From Catnap to Coma to Catharsis which usefully compiles two previously recorded EP's onto one full-length record. Thematically the album touches on how excess technology and information can cause anxiety and depression, the idea being that the band's S/T latest is an antidote to it.

'The Opener' demonstrates that the band have been spending time immersed in the world of Ambient Country and albums such as SUSS's 2024 Birds & Beasts (for example). Despite not being a fan of Country, the band's approach makes it more palatable, thus demonstrating that every genre can appeal, if performed in the right way. A wonderful start. 'He Died Fighting in Spain' title may hint at loss but there's nothing downbeat here, sonically speaking. The Guitar playing of messers Robertson and Leon is exquisite and tasteful, thankfully no Yngwie Malmsteen overblown, ego driven theatrics here. There's hints of Surf Rock and you feel like you're sat watching the waves roll by as you take some time out for self-reflection. 'Twigs of Cries, Feathers of Sobs' by contrast IS melancholic sounding and if you've ever wondered what Hank Williams reimagined for David Lynch's Twin Peaks would sound like, look no further! An inspirational piece.

'Sunday at the Dime Museum' is one of the album's shorter numbers with a Shoegaze/Indie sensibility. A blind listen would have you thinking it was by post Slowdive outfit Mojave 3, perhaps pointing to Motamed and Hysen's years in the Alternative/College Rock scenes. A cursory Google search reveals 'Mas y Menos' to be DC Comic Superheroes, and musically you'd expect appropriately bombastic theme music. Instead you're met with something approaching Adrian Belew fronted King Crimson, learn to expect the unexpected from these guys. 'Immer Alles' reminds one of Das Damen's former SST labelmates the Meat Puppets, the cosmic, country-fried Acid Rock of that band's latter material especially apparent. No wonder it was chosen as a preview track, it's that good. 'Placing a Stone' is interesting with a little Kosmische ala Kraftwerk injected into the proceedings, especially their underrated 1973 effort Ralf Und Florian, the track's minimalistic qualities making it irresistible.

'Sailor Goes Swimming' sees a return to Surf music with a warm sound that makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside while 'Telling the Bees' is a continuation of these positive sensations, coming across like a lullaby. I presume if one had young children, this would be perfect for getting them headed towards the land of nod. 'May Her Memory be a Blessing' has a Psychedelic feel, the Folk style passages to my ears recalling Led Zeppelin at their more introspective. A suitably 'Proggy' conclusion to the album.

The album's musical diversity and lack of pretension make it a great deal more captivating than the majority of Post-Rock, a fact further highlighted by its trim thirty eight minute running time. It's certainly one I'd highly recommend investing time in.