Spirituality by The Germans

Psychedelic bands either strain themselves as they reach for a purposely off-kilter and complex sound, or they invite in the natural absurdity of the world to find them wherever they already are. Falling squarely into this preferable second category, a Belgian band confusingly called The Germans uses their new record Spirituality to explore the murky realms of superstition, belief, and divinity. In so doing, The Germans develop a unique sonic fingerprint, with varied vocal styles that bend and waver their way through harmonies laid out by classical guitar and synths that run the gamut from nasally, old-school sounds to unplaceable, cavernously thick pads. Repackaging a classical sensibility in the form of a sound so individual as to be nearly impossible to describe, The Germans explore an extremely specific spiritual journey that simultaneously feels relatable, constantly getting lost in the weeds in ways that feel all too familiar. In pursuing such a personal narrative, Spirituality avoids the psychedelic trap of painting in overly broad strokes, resulting in a much more memorable and meaningful record.