Joshua Powell “Psychotropic” 2018/2023 Romanus Records, limited edition “purple marble” variant. Psychedelic dream pop. I’ve been sitting on this LP for a bit as I knew I’d be seeing Joshua Powell play live again – it took a bit longer than anticipated but we caught his set this past weekend at Romanus Records Fest in Indianapolis. Such nice boys! (inside joke that both Joshua Powell and bass player Josh are in on – Josh/aka Bass Mountain is not on this album but is now a regular band member and absolutely is a dead-ringer for actor Jason Momoa).  Joshua has taken a hard turn musically since the release of Psychotropic, in fact he told me he plans to start recording and touring under the name Skeleton Party, the name of his latest album. The show at Romanus Fest was great – more psych-metal than pop for sure. I’m honestly good with both, having seen him play shows that focused on both and a wide swath of genres in between – he’s a great musician and showman (we saw him play at Romanus Fest back in either 2017 or 2018, I can’t remember which, as well as at Mile of Music in Appleton – I think – in 2023 or 2024). My only complaint is that the lighting inside Black Circle Brewing, where about half of the sets at Romanus Fest happened (the rest were thankfully outside where it was marginally cooler and definitely brighter). The purple-blue lights made taking photos of the band’s set a bitch.

Joshua Powell’s 2018 release is a trip taken at the neighborhood pool or country lake on a warm summer day. Shimmering and bright, with a few gentle shadows that occasionally drift by from passing fluffy clouds. In one review they noted that the press release came with the claim that the record is “acid trip for the whole family.” The title Pyschotropic is absolutely an accurate description of the record’s sound. My top track is “Spirit of the Trailer Park” which has an anthemic vibe, but gently-so. Also great are “Arrowheads or Worse” which epitomizes the psych-dream vibe with a bit of jangle, the alt-pop flavor of “Bliss is a Flak Jacket” and “Ascension” which leans Americana/country with some harmonica and hints of twang in the acoustic guitar. A really excellent spin from start to finish for a lazy late summer afternoon.