Ty Segall has never stuck with one distinct sound. He’s based his prolific career on constantly rejigging the boundaries of garage rock.
But Emotional Mugger is stranger than even his most seasoned fans might -expect. Gone are the polished harmonies and melodies of 2014’s Manipulator. Instead, a creepy children’s choir sings the chorus in the sadistically sweet Candy Sam an encore-ending drum solo gets plopped into second track California Hills out-of-this-world spacey effects are splattered all over quasi-love song Diversion.
At first the psych freak-outs and weird voices Segall puts on make Emotional Mugger seem chaotic and, quite frankly, a mess. But after a few listens, hidden melodies reveal themselves and easy-listening bass lines guide you through the ruckus. Or rather, you get used to the disorder and appreciate the songs for what they are: weird experiments from a prodigal songwriter.
Top track: Candy Sam
Check out the video for Candy Sam here.
Ty Segall and the Muggers play the Danforth Music Hall on March 4.
