Birds & Drums by The Bewitched Hands (2010)

An album I've held close to the chest since I first heard it 16 years ago, the debut from France's The Bewitched Hands is an absolutely spectacular and beyond criminally underrated neo-psych opus. Each year that went by after 2010 I grew more and more awestruck that I NEVER ONCE saw this album mentioned anywhere online (no matter how niche or fervent the user base) or heard it come up in person. Maybe I need to spend more time in France.

I could theoretically see similar criticisms that had previously been applied to Foxygen's third full length coming up here — too obviously derivative of its 60s and 70s influences. I think that's a cop out on both fronts. This is a music inspired by the greatest music of all time, interpreted in entirely unique ways and crafted into a kaleidoscopic journey of its own.

(for some reason Spotify/Apple Music recently added a ton of bonus tracks to the album, it actually ends at track 13 'Sahara Dream' but their holiday single 'Christmas Tree' does hit)

Stream on Spotify
Stream on Apple Music
Buy on Vinyl