Les Big Byrd: Diamonds, Rhinestones and Hard Rain (digital outlets)

It has been almost a decade since we stumbled over Sweden's psychedelic rockers Les Big Byrd, probably through their association with Anton (Brian Jonestown Massacre) Newcombe's A Recordings label.

This fourth studio album – recorded in small-town Visby on the island of Gotland in the Baltic – finds them focused on elevating, spacious astral rock in a space between Sky Cries Mary, Spiritualized, early Pink Floyd, Can, Jean Michel Jarre and Tangerine Dream.

It's a space which says, “Welcome, settle back. This may take a while”.

The 10 minute instrumental opener Mareid sets the mood for half a dozen pieces which range from the economic Curved Light which comes in at under three minutes of instrumental electrobeat space-cum-synth pop to the closing track, the terrific 12 minute Night Bus (with sax).

Aside from the short title track which is pop with vocals, this is quietly hypnotic music which creates its own zone for thoughts, drifting off or turning on and tuning in.

Settle back. This may take a while.

.

You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here