Honestly, when I first heard the band name and saw their photograph and their over-the-top tribal image I thought, c’mon, someone’s trying too hard.  To both artist and label, don’t take this criticism too hard. I’m usually pretty soft when it comes to my reviews so I thought when I have a rougher comment I should make it to show that I have personal opinions too. Anyway, it’s all about the music, right? Not image. Not monikers. Well, when it came to the music alone, I was blown away.
Psychically mysterious and impenetrably spiritual, Swahili takes us to new levels of psych rock. Actually, psych rock is too broad a category to play with. Let’s call this hardcore mysticism. Hardcore, because while it’s not heavy with crushing guitar it is heavy with Eastern ambiance and new age transcendence. Its heaviness also comes with the seriousness with which the tracks are executed. It’s like these artists really believe what they’re playing. They usher you into a new branch of sacred rites of their own craft. Each track is played like a movie soundtrack where you peek in on esoteric ceremonies and things done in secret. With each devout note and sacrosanct incantation, the mysticism, that is, the platonic Gnosticism of the ethereal plane is approached. Again, hardcore mysticism. It’s performed flawlessly and with polish, yet feels raw in its primal antics.
Swahili relies most heavily on tribal drumming that calls upon many different means. The synth pulses with life at a higher state of being. The guitar is set on wrapping you up in primitive unfamiliarity and anciently ominous ambiances that feel like paranormally experiencing old temple rites. The varied vocal missions are anything from ascetic chant to bizarre attempts at setting an eerie tone. Everything is executed deftly with professionalism. The rhythms get into your head and the melodies will cast their spell on you. Nothing seems half ass, amateur, or cheesy. If you want to hear a forbidden sonic custom that will draw you into its dark observance and give you an awakening, this is it. You will feel like you are actually partaking in something you know you shouldn’t, but can’t resist anyway.
Translinguistic Other made a laudable effort to release Swahili’s debut with the aesthetic and beauty that music like this demands. On the front, there’s an exquisite Eastern-meets-African design. On the back, there’s a pastel stained glass triptych that truly ties together hints of various religious traditions into one inventive spiritual innovation. And the vinyl itself is thick and sexy. Download code included with each copy. Become one of the initiates and experience the next step in what is available in psych today. Discover what I call hardcore mysticism. Now, looking back, I don’t know what the hell other image a band like this could possibly have.
