Chicago’s Junegrass has returned with some volatile cosmic boogies that’ll shake off the winter cold and reinvigorate your soul.

The band’s previous album, 2022’s Keeping On, was such a huge favorite in my house when it came out, I practically wore the tape out. Perpetual Stew‘s tracks are so tasty, this tape might soon follow the same fate.

This collection of instrumental jams combines everything from molten Canned Heat riffs to saxophone-infused kosmische stampedes and even some hints of psychedelic soul. The band has a very extensive range on display here, but no matter which direction they steer their ship into, they always exert a wild amount of energy, but also control. This is one tight unit, and they certainly pack a punch.

Check out “B’s Boogie,” for instance. This is a track made up of multiple stages, quick prog-like tempo changes and an adrenaline-fueled interstellar jam that incinerates your speakers during every listen. Yet, Junegrass always switches modes and speeds with ease, showing the sharp skill and discipline they have mastered as musicians and as a single-minded group entity. However, this is not to say that the band can’t cut loose and just let things rip. Check out the concluding title track for a fierce example of that.

Raw, explosive and always excitingly unpredictable, Junegrass’ Perpetual Stew is a ferocious entry in the cannon of modern progressive jammers that also includes the likes of Garcia Peoples, Chris Forsyth and Howlin’ Rain. Click here to get their album on cassette or digital today.

-KH