Infected Mushroom - Friends on Mushrooms (Deluxe Edition)

Infected Mushroom
Friends on Mushrooms (Deluxe Edition)
2015

The reason I've indicated that this album is a Deluxe Edition is due in part to the fact that this is not your typical record. For some time Infected Mushroom have been putting out a collection of EPs under the umbrella of "Friends on Mushrooms" this album is a collection of those songs along with a few new tracks and remixes. Rather than take on one of the EPs I decided to go full boar into the psy-trance world of Infected Mushroom. This record is quite the undertaking at 17 very long tracks, but from the jump they all are incredibly enjoyable. The album is diverse while still flowing together almost seamlessly which is a surprised since this is a bit of a compilation. There is a lot going on from 8-bit style tracks to psychedelic tonal journeys. There is very little real singing on this record, more just heightened and distorted human sounds that I think brings a real interesting feeling to the album. It's almost not grounded to a "real" style of music, instead it can exist as its own art piece each track working together to bring something to whole.

It may seem repetitive, but this album feels psychedelic. It can go anywhere and do anything. This is not a dance album, even though there are absolutely parts where you feel like dancing, instead it is more something incredibly interesting and hard to pin down. I can not recommend Friends on Mushrooms enough it is a great album with far reaching potential. Infected Mushroom have really done something ballsy and bold with this record, and it is right on the surface as well as deep down within. Imbibe your favorite substance and get ready to be taken on quite the "trip".

8.8 out of 10