THE PICNIC: Psychogab Music Review
Rat World is excited to be collaborating with Marmalade to put on The Picnic - a mini music festival on November 16th that aims to showcase upcoming bands, platform music journalism, and put on a fun night to celebrate our local music landscape and arts scene!
Five music journalists are paired up with one of the five bands performing at The Picnic. These Rat Journalists will introduce the bands via a music review and then will conduct a KEXP-style live interview on the night of the festival!
Photos by Gabriella Gillepsie
Aotearoa is a beautiful melting pot of musical creativity and genre-bending innovation. Built off the roots of Kiwi ingenuity and local talent, musicians young and old have found their niche in a multitude of styles throughout the motu. Breakthrough group Psychogab show Tāmaki Makaurau and beyond why they are stellar examples of this kaupapa, with groundbreaking self-engineered waiata that takes the listener on a journey of neo-soul-induced bliss. Releasing their debut EP Crazy Talk in 2024 following a successful reception to their first single, ‘Messy,’ Psychogab has topped multiple Aotearoa radio charts, toured the motu and played alongside many notable artists, such as Casual Healing, SPDRTWNBBY and Jordyn With A Why. It is my pleasure to delve deeper into this EP with you today, and highlight what makes this band one of the up-and-coming groups that you’ll want to keep your eye on.
Psychogab’s debut single, ‘Messy,’ was a statement from the group about what to expect early on. With a catchy drum and bass intro setting the tone, singer Rosetta Stone announces her presence with groovy, smooth RnB vocals, fully supported by the 4 piece band behind her. Self-engineered by the band's bassist Orlando Cooper and keys player Caleb Wong, the mixture of synths, audio effects and masterful mixing work leaves the listener blissful in a music-induced coma. Utilising layering and harmonic additions that would give Jacob Collier a run for his money, this track delivers a sensory delight that rides the line of overload and perfection until we’re left gasping for air and begging for more.
As easy as it would be to dive into their entire repertoire, this EP is one you have to sit with to fully appreciate the hard work and talent that has gone into it. To leave you in suspense, I’ll highlight two of my favourite tracks before letting you pick your own. First up is my all-time favourite, ‘Orchid Samba’. As an ex-jazz student, this track pulled me in immediately with an up-tempo intro followed by a short, full-band lick that would make any jazz musician snap with approval. Staying true to its name, this piece features beautiful background horn additions that sit between the 4 piece band and vocalist with a grace that truly highlights all the other elements without overshadowing anyone. Psychogab have proven that they know how to arrange multiple layers that accentuate the other players- a skill that is often overlooked in other genres of music. Drummer Finn McNeill, though a key player in the rest of the EP, absolutely shines in this, with a scrumptious drum solo near the end of the track that is nothing short of brilliant. ‘Orchid Samba’ is a premium example of a song made by a band that actively listens to each other when playing, leaving space when needed and taking the spotlight without hesitation if asked.
A close runner-up, ‘Pianomen’ is my #2 pick from this 6-track EP in name only, as it holds as heavy a place in my ngākau as ‘Orchid Samba.’ Back yet again with precision and flair, this track is set upon a foundation of strong rhythm and lyrical genius. Guitarist Max Henley demonstrates firsthand the role of a jazz guitarist in a singer-led band format such as this- the importance of leaving space and locking in with the keys player. With accenting guitar stabs that coexist with the rest of the band in perfect unity, Henley helps drive the band towards their breakdown destination while supporting the once again stellar drum and bass behind him. The highlight of this piece has to be the switch to a double-time feel near the end. Everything devolves into artistic chaos, supported by audio effects that make the listener feel as if we are floating on music-dense air. Stone adlibs over the build-up into this chaos with unmatched rhythmic and melodic ideas until we reach the precipice and the song fades softly into the background. We’ve talked about what a sensory experience Psychogab’s music can be and this might be their tactile cornucopia.
I cannot stress enough how much Psychogab is a band to keep tabs on. With such a wealth of talent and creativity, they are set up to go so far within our industry and beyond. If you haven’t already discovered this gem, consider this your sign.
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Catch Psychogab live at The Tuning Fork, 16th November Saturday for The Picnic Mini Music Festival! And don’t forget to use the code "psychogab" to reveal a secret $10 ticket…