It’s Time for t. [stream]

If forced to choose, I would say folk is my favorite genre. I love both traditional and contemporary folk alike, but I especially enjoy progressive or experimental folk. Some bands add electronics, some add rock and roll flair, and in the case of Brighton-based Time for T., they add funky instrumentation and a (prepare yourself) reggae twist.

Time for T.’s newly released three-track EP, Mongrel, is a non-manic flavor of psychedelia, the colorful, jaunty sort that feels confident enough to swagger and playful enough to grin. The majority of their tracks contain “world music” vibes, which completely makes sense considering the members are from all edges of Europe — Spain, Switzerland, Portugal, and throughout England. Their standout track, “Tornado”, is Morrison-sexy meets The Kooks frisky meets The Rolling Stones personality. Frontman Tiago Sa-Ga starts to lose it around the halfway point in the song, sing-screaming “Well, I’m gonna sing it loud ‘til the morning breaks!” through a gravelly filter. Then, he suddenly switches back to reggae chill-mode — it’s just the definition of badass.

They’ve no doubt got a sense of humor (see: “Phone Sex” from their Dream Bug EP) and confidence to spare, but the track immediately following “Tornado” is called “Great Grandma” and sings of feeling right “at home” — they obviously have some heart as well. The third song on the EP, “Vegetable”, laments choosing to stay home instead of traveling and experiencing. “You will conquer this world, babe, while I just sit at home wondering why I didn’t go,” Tiago whines right before a rousing pub piano solo jumps into play. Afterwards the song winds down with a heavy dose of happy — “It’s been dark for days, I’m gonna catch some sunlight, spread it all over the place.”

You really have to get a taste of their “freak folk” (or whatever you want to call it) because Time for T. may be the flavor you’ve been craving. Seriously — head over to their Soundcloud page ASAP and get in on this band.