Goat – Hide from the Sun
SoundCloud
Back in 2012, one of the surprise hits of the year was an unexpected release from an unknown Swedish group. The curiously named Goat came from out of nowhere and tore into focus with their catchy yet off-kilter blend of tribal rhythms, ethnic percussion and unhinged psychedelic rock. Fast forward two years and the ensemble are back with Commune, their second feature and the follow-up to World Music, the surprise gem that put them firmly on the map.
Stylistically, not an awful lot has changed. The group is still digging into their supposed heritage of voodoo worship and spiritual pondering. This continues to come through in the ethnic Afrobeat fusion and the enlightened psychedelic core of their previous material. In regards to the latter, the amplification and ferocity might have been turned down a notch or two but their sound is still punchy and leaves an impression, even if the edges have been ironed out a little. Their focus is now shifted more towards the realm of groove and melody, both of which find themselves laden with effects, filtered and inspired by ethnic influences from further afield. These are more subtle tweaks than drastic turns, but in their simplicity they dig a little deeper into the bands potential.
Commune might not have the immediacy, the impact or the legs of its predecessor, but in the place of newfound excitement, we’re given a record that sees Goat return strong. Furthermore, the fact that they’ve taken the opportunity to move their brackets further afield in the process is an encouraging sign that the experimental Swedes have a healthy amount of creative fuel left in the tank.
