Description
Darkside – Psychic – Double Crystal Ball Vinyl Records
Vinyl Me, Please exclusive pressing.
Vinyl Me Please Essentials Record of the Month for May 2021.
Pressed on exclusive 2LP crystal ball vinyl
Lacquers cut by Barry Grint, Alchemy Mastering at AIR
Liner notes booklet by Arielle Gordon
Exclusive album art + print by Jed DeMoss
VMP Essentials
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Psychic is the debut studio album by the electronic duo Darkside, consisting of American electronic producer Nicolas Jaar and multi-instrumentalist Dave Harrington. Released on October 4, 2013, by Matador Records, the album blends elements of electronic music, rock, and ambient sounds, creating a hypnotic and genre-defying experience. Known for its experimental approach, “Psychic” pushes the boundaries of electronic music, incorporating organic instrumentation like guitars, bass, and live drums alongside deep, atmospheric electronic production.
Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington first collaborated as Darkside after meeting while Harrington was part of Jaar’s touring band. Their shared interest in blending organic and electronic sounds led to the formation of the project. “Psychic” was released after the duo’s self-titled EP from 2011 and became a landmark release in experimental electronic music. The album explores expansive soundscapes, combining Jaar’s intricate production techniques with Harrington’s psychedelic guitar work, resulting in a unique fusion of genres.
The recording process for Psychic was highly improvisational, with both artists building off each other’s ideas in a way that feels fluid and natural. The result is a record that feels as much like an exploration of mood and texture as it does a collection of songs.
Psychic is characterized by its atmospheric soundscapes, blending elements of downtempo electronica with ambient rock, psychedelic influences, and intricate sound design. The album’s tracks are often long and immersive, with each song taking the listener on a sonic journey.
“Golden Arrow” – The album opens with this 11-minute epic that sets the tone for the rest of the record. It begins with a slow, atmospheric build, incorporating eerie synths and ambient textures before gradually unfolding into a full-bodied track driven by groovy basslines and Harrington’s swirling guitar. The track’s hypnotic progression draws the listener into Darkside’s sound world.
“Sitra” – One of the more minimalist tracks on the album, “Sitra” is built around a steady beat, deep bass, and subtle, shimmering guitar lines. The song creates an almost meditative atmosphere, with its minimalistic approach giving each element room to breathe.
“Heart” – This track introduces a funkier rhythm, combining a laid-back beat with soulful guitar licks and atmospheric synths. The groove-driven bassline and Harrington’s guitar work make “Heart” one of the more accessible tracks on the album, while still maintaining the duo’s experimental edge.
“Paper Trails” – One of the album’s standout tracks, “Paper Trails” combines Harrington’s bluesy, distorted guitar riff with Jaar’s haunting vocals. The song has a loose, improvisational feel, with its slow-burning groove and raw, unpolished production giving it a distinctive, organic texture. The track’s soulful, psychedelic vibe makes it a high point on the album.
“The Only Shrine I’ve Seen” – This track features a darker, more haunting atmosphere, with Jaar’s manipulated vocals and eerie soundscapes creating a sense of tension. The track slowly builds into a more dynamic, rhythmic section, with layers of guitar, bass, and percussion coming together in a hypnotic groove.
“Freak, Go Home” – This track begins with a minimalist, electronic beat before introducing spacey, otherworldly sounds. As it progresses, the song builds tension, adding distorted guitars and intricate layers of percussion that give it a sense of controlled chaos.
“Greek Light” – “Greek Light” is one of the more ambient and abstract tracks on the album, with its sparse arrangement of droning synths and processed guitar sounds creating a deep, immersive atmosphere. The track feels like a sonic exploration, more about texture and mood than structure.
“Metatron” – The closing track is another sprawling, immersive composition that blends atmospheric synths with slow, hypnotic beats and soulful guitar work. The track gradually builds in intensity, with its final moments erupting into a cacophony of sound that serves as a fitting conclusion to the album’s expansive, otherworldly journey.
Psychic is built around themes of exploration, both musically and emotionally. The album explores the intersection of the human and the technological, using organic instruments like guitar and bass alongside synthesizers and electronic effects to create a dynamic, evolving soundscape. The music often feels like a conversation between the organic and synthetic, with Jaar’s atmospheric production and Harrington’s live instrumentation working together to create a seamless fusion of sound.
The duo’s improvisational approach is key to the album’s mood, with long tracks that build slowly and evolve organically. The album’s structure is loose and fluid, allowing each track to unfold naturally, often with minimal vocals. When vocals do appear, they are often manipulated or distorted, adding to the album’s otherworldly feel.
Musically, Psychic blends a wide range of influences, from ambient and downtempo electronic music to classic rock, blues, and psychedelic music. The result is a genre-defying sound that feels both timeless and forward-thinking, with an emphasis on mood, texture, and atmosphere.
Psychic was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising Darkside’s ability to blend electronic production with live instrumentation in a way that felt organic and cohesive. Critics noted the album’s immersive soundscapes, dynamic range, and the duo’s willingness to push the boundaries of genre, resulting in a record that felt both accessible and experimental.
Pitchfork gave the album a score of 8.5/10 and named it “Best New Music”, praising the duo’s ability to create music that was “spacious yet detailed, familiar yet disorienting.” Other outlets, such as The Guardian and Resident Advisor, also praised the album for its unique blend of electronic music and rock, calling it one of the standout releases of 2013.
Psychic is considered a landmark album in the intersection of electronic and rock music, with its innovative sound pushing the boundaries of what electronic music could be. The album has influenced a number of artists in the electronic, experimental, and rock scenes, cementing Darkside’s reputation as pioneers of genre-blending music.
For fans of ambient, experimental, and electronic music, Psychic remains an essential listen. Its hypnotic, atmospheric sound continues to captivate listeners, making it a modern classic in the electronic music canon.
Track Listing
Golden Arrow
Sitra
Heart
Paper Trails
The Only Shrine I’ve Seen
Freak, Go Home
Greek Light
Metatron
