Rumbling deep within the unsuspecting wilds of New Jersey, is the dazed, neon-hued psych-rock of Chitinous Mandible.

Formerly performing under the Old Smile moniker (of which you might remember from past RCU reviews), songwriter and home recording wizard, Tom Herman Jr., has embarked on an exciting new project that perfectly melds psychedelic pop with atmospheric rock.

Chitinous Mandible’s debut album features breezy, smooth tracks that glide with glossy, ethereal harmonies, dreamy guitar and driving rhythms. CM’s sound at times floats near the hazy early work of groups like Dungen and Holy Wave, but with a touch of Beatles-y song craft and a Syd-era Pink Floyd production. 

For a band of 1 (for the most part), there is a massive range to the album’s sound. From delirious pop nuggets with searing fuzz solos and slamming drums to euphoric keyboard-lead kosmische dreamscapes, this is an impressive display of CM’s considerable versatility and seemingly endless supply of sonic creativity. If the whole world could hear tracks like the multifaceted kaleidoscopic suite that is “Wheels, Pinions, Arbors,” then this artist would surely be as well regarded in the psychedelic rock community as groups like Asteroid No. 4 or White Fang.

The album, which is available now on both limited edition cassette and digital, is also accompanied by a full record-length trippy montage-styled music video. Check it out below:

Get the album today!

-KH