Album Review: Swahili

[FLOATING FUNK] When they first emerged a few years ago, the members of Swahili were psychedelic sound-painters whose work implied rhythm more often than actually providing any. With second album Amovrevx, the band has found its groove—in a crate of dusty '70s dance records, apparently. Drawing on spacey funk, throbbing Giorgio Moroder synths and slinky dub production, the group has fashioned itself into a cosmic cousin of local mutant-disco army Ancient Heat, but with more art-project pretensions. Though it travels through a range of moods and tempos, Amovrevx plays out under a constellation of perpetually burbling basslines, laser-gun keyboards and percolating percussion, bookended by a pair of extended four-on-the-floor workouts stretching into double-digits. The standout is "Vestal," a dreamy bliss-pop vision that recalls Pure Bathing Culture gone to heaven. But even with singer Van Pham taking on a more pronounced role, the music of Swahili is still primarily a wash of texture, and the band sometimes loses itself in its own soundcloud. Then again, getting lost might be the whole point. Just close your eyes, and keep moving. 

SEE IT: Swahili plays White Owl Social Club, 1305 SE 8th Ave., with Acid Farm, Lamar LeRoy and DJ Gigs, on Thursday, April 23. 8 pm. Free. 21+.

WWeek 2015