Today is April 20th, aka 4/20, aka the combination of numbers most directly aligned with cannabis culture. Rumor has it that the numerological alignment is a reference to the Police Code for marijuana possession in California adopted by users of herb as a time or day to celebrate the benefits of the drug. The penal code roots aren’t true but there’s no denying that April 20th is a highly accepted day to embrace a little weed. This is especially true in 2021 as we’re seeing much of the nation start to legalize the plant and (fingers crossed) stop imprisoning people for the possession and sale of it. Weed has never been more embraced in modern times than it is right now and that’s a great thing regardless of your usage.

If you do find yourself partaking, you should absolutely queue up the latest nine-minute jam from Great Grand Sun, “Father Sun & Mother Moon.” The single serves as an introduction to the bands forthcoming full-length album Terra Incognita and runs the gamut of styles for maximizing bliss. Light dub guitar gives way to Pink Floyd reminiscent soundscapes of guitar and choral voices before floating off into a realm of mysterious narration. There’s no evidence that the track is meant to serve as any sort of direct homage to marijuana but there’s no denying it does function quite well as a soundtrack to spacing out.

It’s diminutive to suggest that any artist is making music For Pot Heads and that’s certainly not the insinuation here. Pigeonholing Great Grand Sun in that way would be a disservice to their overall diversity as a band. Smoking pot doesn’t directly equate to being a space case but it does provide a platform for its users to reflect on topics that they may not give themselves headspace for otherwise. Nine-minute jams like “Father Sun & Mother Moon” come from a long lineage of songs that aid the listener in getting to that reflective place; immersing themselves in the song and the movements it provides. Great Grand Sun is providing a path to that self-engagement. It’s not the only thing they do as a band but its clearly an area of expertise.

Hefty tip of the hat to the Scene writeup about the track, do give that a read as well as you queue the track up anywhere you like to stream your music.

Back in March we premiered the video for Klypi’s “Not For You”; the final single before the release of the full-length album Consensual Hits. At the time, we said “There is much more to be said about the artistic endeavors of Klypi that can’t be wrapped up with a single video premiere. The artist is exploring expression from all angles; music, fashion and their general online presence.” With that in mind, let’s have a more in-depth look at the work of Klypi.

By simply gazing at the album art for Consensual Hits, you know you’re in for something different than the norm. Klypi is seen in piercing eye makeup and scantily clad nude-colored underwear drapped in toast, a bra of pickle slices and holding what may be a full pickle (or may be a vibrator). A sleeping cat and toaster are nearby, why not? It’s an exploration of fashion and art that is both funny and oddly thought provoking. Is it a statement on how the human body can be viewed as a meal? Is it a self-declaration that Klypi is a total snack? There may not be clear answers but the questions are entertainment enough.

Having the context provided by the cover sets the stage for the fourteen track electronic opus that unfurls over nearly an hour. The majority of the record is driven by dance-y beats and keyboard flourishes that would set a dancefloor on fire. Klypi’s sound is a refreshingly minimal approach; with a persistent beat that is always loud and always gripping, with no attempt to fill the aural space with every possible sound. The musical backing is enjoyable but the real star of the record is Klypi’s vocal performances and lyrics.

Generally, dance music doesn’t try to push the listener to pay too much attention to the lyrics as the intended end result is to get the body moving. Klypi’s Consensual Hits is different in that it has a message, a perspective and, dare I say, a story to tell. That’s not to say it’s not without it’s moments of absurd frivolity (see “Cum Quick Then Die” or “Hardcoors Lite”) but tracks like “Get Over You” and “Notice Me” are earnest emotional outpourings. They’re still Club Bangers but that’s the balance that Klypi consistently strikes throughout the album; a near dichotomy of wildly fun presentation cut with pleas of emotional doubt.

It would be easy to cast off the entirety of Klypi as performance art; a caricature that is playing a part. There’s a fusion of visual art, fashion and club music that really can’t be taken piecemeal. To listen to Klypi you should really also be looking at Klypi and soaking it all in. However, Consensual Hits is too weighted with self-doubt and emotional yearning to not stem from a real place. It’s the questionable thin line between character and real life that makes it such a wonderfully captivating listen. Klypi provides us with an escape – an excuse to let go and be wild – but also provides a bond that we’re all dealing with some shit.

Last we saw Heaven Honey, she was performing Live at Josh’s House, with the occasional assist from guitarist Oliver Hopkins of Volunteer Department. Turns out that performance was a prescient occasion foretelling of a future collaboration. That future is now and we’re happy to premiere the Heaven Honey split with Volunteer Department featuring “Relate 2” and “Shitten” from each respective artist.

It’s best to think of both of these tracks as A-sides, best foot forward representations from both musicians that perfectly augment one another but still maintain their individuality. They both have their fair share of dark and brooding vibes touched with atmospheric fuzz but, more importantly, they showcase a rare quality of subtle angst.

Volunteer Departments “Shitten” uses the first third of its 2:37 runtime to build the narrator’s restraint before unfurling a deliciously crunchy guitar line. It’s a cathartic expression of exhaustion delivered through a uniquely intense deadpan. More straightforward approaches would leverage screaming or more obvious fits of rage but Hopkins seems to be seething to the point of silence.

Similarly, that anger-under-the-surface vibe has been present in much of Heaven Honey’s recent work and shines through here again in “Relate 2.” Jordan Victoria’s snarl is wrapped in a coy breathy delivery but if you’re paying attention to the lyrics, the narrator is clearly disgusted by the subject.

Those lyrics are important, in both tracks. Be sure to tune in carefully and pay attention as these songs are abundantly enjoyable but the lyrics shift the lens of their message. They’re bangers but they’re bangers with a relatable angst.

Both these tracks are streaming everywhere now. Cold Lunch Recordings & To-Go Records are behind the release so be sure to give them a follow while you’re out cruising the Internet. Cold Lunch will take over ACME Radio tomorrow with a playlist of tracks curated by Heaven Honey and Volunteer Department.