Slow Psychedelic Rock: The Sound of the Summer
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Slow psychedelic rock is the perfect soundtrack for a lazy summer day. It’s the perfect blend of laid-back and groovy, and it’s sure to get you in the mood for some summer fun. Check out our list of the best slow psychedelic rock songs to add to your summer playlist.
What is Slow Psychedelic Rock?
Slow Psychedelic Rock is a genre of music characterized by distorted guitars, trippy melodies, and a slow, hazy sound. It’s the perfect music for a summer day, and it’s been gaining popularity in recent years. Let’s take a closer look at the sound of Slow Psychedelic Rock.
The Origins of Slow Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock is a genre that emerged in the 1960s and was heavily influenced by drugs like LSD and psylocibin. The music is characterized by extended jams, unusual sound effects, and often trippy or dreamlike lyrics. Slow psychedelic rock specifically refers to a subgenre that developed in the 1970s and is characterized by slow tempos, quiet dynamics, and hypnotic rhythms.
The Sound of Slow Psychedelic Rock
Slow Psychedelic Rock, also known as Slowburn or Space Rock, is a subgenre of Psychedelic Rock characterized by the slow evolution of sound, often resulting in lengthy compositions. The sound is similar to that of other Psychedelic genres, but with a focus on atmosphere and texture rather than traditional song structures.
Slow Psychedelic Rock emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as bands such as Pink Floyd and Hawkwind began to explore the possibilities of extended musical improvisation. However, it was not until the mid-1970s that the subgenre began to take on a more defined form, with groups such as Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream forging a new sonic template.
The 1980s saw a renewed interest in Slow Psychedelic Rock, led by groups such as My Bloody Valentine and Cocteau Twins. This second wave of Slowburners continued to push the boundaries of the genre, incorporating elements of Shoegaze and Post-Punk into their sound. In more recent years, Slow Psychedelic Rock has enjoyed something of a renaissance, with a new generation of bands championing the genre’s hazy, dreamlike soundscapes.
The Best Slow Psychedelic Rock Albums
The Beatles – Revolver
Released in 1966, The Beatles’ Revolver was a turning point in popular music. It found the band experimenting with new sounds and song structures, and ushered in the “psychadelic” era of rock music. The album features some of the band’s best-known songs, including “Eleanor Rigby”, “She Said She Said”, and “Tomorrow Never Knows”.
Pink Floyd – The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
Pink Floyd’s debut album is a must-have for any fan of psychedelic rock. The album is full of Sgt. Pepper-esque sounds and trippy effects, but with a more laid back, slow vibe. This is the perfect album to put on when you want to relax and trip out at the same time.
The Doors – Strange Days
The Doors’ second album, Strange Days, was released in September 1967. Guitarist Robby Krieger has said that the band was trying to capture the feeling of being on acid with the album. Keyboardist Ray Manzarek has said that the album was influenced by The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, which had been released a few months earlier.
The album features some of The Doors’ most well-known songs, including “People Are Strange” and “When the Music’s Over.” It also includes the band’s cover of “Alabama Song (Whisky Bar),” which was originally written by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill for the 1930 play The Threepenny Opera.
The Future of Slow Psychedelic Rock
Psychedelic rock emerged in the mid-1960s and quickly became the dominant form of rock music. The sound is characterized by distorted guitars, heavy drums, and mind-bending lyrics. The genre has been in decline since the late 1970s, but a recent resurgence in popularity has given new life to the sound of the summer.
The Rise of Slow Psychedelic Rock
Slow psychedelic rock is on the rise, and it’s the perfect sound for summertime. This type of music is characterized by its dreamy, hazy soundscapes, sprawling melodies, and hypnotic Beatle-esque rhythms. It’s the perfect soundtrack for lazy days in the sun, road trips, and long summer nights.
While slow psychedelic rock has been around for decades, it has only recently begun to gain mainstream popularity. In the past few years, bands like Tame Impala, The Paper Kites, and Foxygen have helped to lead the charge. And with new albums from Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine on the horizon, it’s clear that this genre is only going to continue to grow in popularity.
So if you’re looking for something new to listen to this summer, be sure to check out some of the best slow psychedelic rock bands around. You won’t be disappointed.
The Fall of Slow Psychedelic Rock
It’s the sound of summer: Psychedelic rock, or “slow psych,” has been a dominant force in the music scene since the 1960s. But its popularity may be waning.
According to a recent report by the NPD Group, sales of slow psychedelic rock albums have declined by 22 percent over the past five years. This is despite the fact that the genre has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to successful bands like Tame Impala and Thee Oh Sees.
So what’s behind the decline? One theory is that slow psychedelic rock is simply too experimental for mainstream audiences. “As the genre has evolved, it has become increasingly experimental and niche,” said David Bakula, senior vice president of NPD Music. “And as it has become more experimental, it has become less popular with mass audiences.”
Another possibility is that the style of music is simply becoming less popular with young people. In recent years, there has been a growing preference for faster-paced genres like EDM and hip-hop. This could be due to the fact that young people are increasingly seeking out music that can be consumed quickly and easily on digital platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that slow psychedelic rock faces an uncertain future. For now, though, it remains one of the most distinctive sounds of summertime.
