Like a new born discovering its capabilities as this exciting new world of possibilities opens before them, so Northamptonshire natives Temples make their first chameleon-like strides onto the musical platform.Â
For anyone looking for a way to relive the1960s, taking a trip through this psychedelic debut album is our top tip. Influences are unequivocally obvious from the off as the acid soaked, large haired, velvet shirt wearing rockers are reintroducing the revolutionary rock music that shaped the swinging era to the 21st Century.
An impassioned nod to Donovan’s Sunshine Superman, opener Shelter Song strides into the room in a garish blur of neon and flares, shouting ‘come and play with me in my groovy world’, whilst Keep In The Dark feels quintessentially Jake Bugg and The Guesser would make Miles Kane proud with its off-beat rhythm guitar stabs.
Quickening the pace and adding soaring chorus heavy standout single Mesmerise is bursting with plucky underdog brawn. The group beautifully exhibit their talent for producing persistent earworms and impress with lyrics full of witticism and splendour (‘tears fell upon a fire, fell upon desire early in the morning’ proving a particular favourite). Temples are expertly skilled in the art of creating rolling moods and surging rhythms to bring the listener to the height of ecstasy and back.
Buoyed by bold claims from famous industry figures held in high regard (Johnny Marr cited Temples as the best new band in Britain) and high profile advocates (Noel Gallagher is vocal in his admiration) Temples’ lauded reputation precedes them and Sun Structures proves a highly enjoyable mish mash of pre-existing elements.
Seasoned pros Tame Impala and outlandish Aussie outfit Wolfmother previously paved the way for a fresh wave of psychedelic rock outfits, with their reintroduction of bygone style experimentation., and though Temples take major heed of these sounds, at times they manage to turn them into different beasts entirely, weaving their laid back and melancholic magic. However, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep track of Temples’ own identity when each song so closely replicates a past artist.
Feature length debut Sun Structures provides a transcendent journey through a genre bending world hinting at the sign of possible things to come in their bright shiny new career. Having laid the foundations for their very own yellow brick road, we are anxious to see Temples develop and refine their sound along the journey of self-discovery.
