NYC psych-rock group Crumb releases their first LP, and it feels surreal

NYC quartet Crumb has put out an EP and a few singles since their formation in 2015, but it wasn’t until last week that they finally released their first, full-length album Jinx. The group specializes in a dreamy blend of indie-rock and psych-pop and their new LP is quite the official debut. They’re touring the U.S. and Europe this fall with a stop at Union Transfer on November 21st.

You know the harp sound that separates a dream sequence from the rest of the story in a cheesy sit-com? That’s what I think of when I listen to this album, but in a much cooler, rock and roll kind of way. The record feels like hypnosis that you can’t resist, nor would you want to. “Cracking”, the opening track, only has lyrics in the first half. The second half is nothing but long guitar drones, dissonant trumpet, and echoey keyboard that’ll make you feel all sorts of floaty. Lead singer and guitarist Lila Ramani’s vocals are light and lucid in a way that pairs magically with Crumb’s rock sound, specifically on tracks like “Faces” and “Part III.” Each song offers something different, but they all emotionally disorient you in some wonderful way.

Crumb’s debut LP Jinx is available now on all streaming services. They’ll be playing Union Transfer with Divino Niño and Shormey on November 21st, and you can find ticket information here.