Death Valley Girls – Islands In The Sky

There is a common theme developing with the album’s I’ve reviewed so far in ’23, they have all been inspired by illness, although in this case it’s not covid or the accompanying lockdown and isolation. The inspiration for Death Valley Girls latest full length, Islands In The Sky, came from a mysterious condition that saw front woman Bonnie Bloomgarden bedridden, as she explains “When I was sick I had to sleep most of the day. I kept waking up every few hours with an intense message to take care of the island, feed the island…I have no idea why, but making music for the island kept coming up.”

It might seem like a dark inspiration, but like almost all music that is borne of adversity this is a hopeful and celebratory album, one that seeks out the light rather than dwelling in the darkness. Joining Bloomgarden in this cathartic fifth full length are co-founding member and guitarist Larry Schemel, Rikki Styxx ( The Darts / The Dollyrots / LA Machina / The Two Tens), whose infectious enthusiasm behind the kit may well have contributed to the album’s optimistic nature, and new bassist and co-vocalist, Sammy Westervelt (Egg Drop Soup).

Islands In The Sky is populated by eleven cuts that travel across mental landscapes, from the haunting desert rock infused psychedelia of album opener California Mountain Shake through the sinister garage boogie of Magic Powers to the the title track that drives you back out into the desert. The unsettling laid back haze of Sunday takes things into a different realm before the quirky upbeat garage pop of What Are The Odds jolts you back into life. Journey To Dog Star and Say It Too are two further examples of the fever dream inspired otherworldly desert trips that punctuate the album.

Watch The Skies keeps the organic psychedelia flowing and precedes the albums most uplifting moment, When I’m Free, that possesses a joyous quality and a multi layered chorus just spikes the sweet spot and keeps the serotonin flowing. All That Is Not Of Me keeps the hopeful edge with a return to the familiar haunting dark pop with Bloomgarden sounding simultaneously intimidating and vulnerable. It’s All Really Kind Of Amazing is the logical closer, off kilter and unsettling, but all the while bringing a laid back joy that leaves the album delivering redemption and relief in equal measure.

Islands In The Sky is a soundscape that draws you into Death Valley Girls world, whilst the album might have borne from a dark place this is possibly their most upbeat album to date, their are poppier touches alongside the expected dark undercurrents. Drawing from the origins of space rock, desert rock and psychedelia and delivering it all but a primeval garage punk attitude. Death Valley Girls latest incarnation continues to demonstrate that the band are still evolving and surprising, and for me this desert infused slab of garage psych is arguably their finest release to date.

Islands In The Sky is due out on February 24th and can be pre-ordered via Suicide Squeeze Records.