In 2019, I shared the track and video A Restless Wind by Desert Magic. It’s still up there with my favourite shares on this blog so when their new album True Power came to my attention, I knew I had to give it a listen.
By Graeme Smith
Desert Magic’s music has always revolved around themes of nature and mysticism and their latest album, True Power, is no exception. It’s steeped in the Eastern philosophical concept of Tao, a word with plenty of translations. For the purposes of the album, Desert Magic uses Ursula Le Guin’s version, translating it as something close to the English word “power”. There’s a subversive element to this. In true Desert Magic style, they eschew the mainstream.
It’s a subject that Desert Magic are getting a lot of material from, and True Power is just a fraction of all the songs that the band are devoting to the topic. It’s clearly a concept that bears a lot of fruit and you get that sense straight from the start of the album. In The Valley Spirit, a heady mix of poetic lyrics play gently alongside a stripped-back yet complex instrumental where East meets West.
The Highest Good Is Like Water brings with it a brightness. A cantering rhythm section is paired with lingering strings. Americana traditions mix with something a little more undefinable. A House Full of Gold and Jade is a jaunty number that goes deep with its lyrics while Can You Be Like A Bird? rounds off the early listening with a stripped-back, looping and questioning moment.
The album brings together levity with meaningful depth like I’ve never heard before. Accepting Disgrace is a beautifully offbeat moment that typifies this. See also Heavy Is The Root of Light or the album’s tremendous title track. Among them are quieter and more introspective songs like The Strength of the Spirit or Why Death Enters Us meaning we are always struck by what comes next.
Desert Magic make music that’s truly like no other. Their dedication to their subject matter, and bravery to push musical boundaries makes them truly unique. True Power is an album in which the listener can easily get lost.
True Power features Alex Wand on vocals, viola da gamba and guitar, Steven Van Betten on vocals and guitar, Logan Hone on vocals, drums, woodwinds and piano, Heather Lockie on vocals, viola and violetta, Stuart Wheeler on vocals and organ, Brock Stuessi on upright bass, Mustafa Walker on hurdy gurdy and lute, and Erik Miron on guitar (track 13). It was composed by Alex, engineered by Rob Shelton, mixed by Louis Lopez, and mastered by Daniel Eaton.
The album is out now and you can check it out below.