Opening track Birdsong' is a relaxed delight. Easing you into the indie-psych-surf rock extravaganza to come. The hefty fat bass groove keeps things steady while the beautiful saxophone solo adds gravitas to what is an emotionally laden song. Track number 2, Waiting, is where the EP is turned up a gear. A proper seasonal groover that certainly won’t be afraid of inducing moves on the dancefloor. The previously released single More moves things along with its well defined reggae rhythm, before it cools down with the soul-infused Passing By. A truly fantastic song that proves the band has moody sensibilities beyond the well-trodden territory of many of their contemporaries. It’s great hearing artists being patient and letting their songs build properly. The outro to Passing By is most certainly the EP’s high point. Penultimate track, the unashamed summer anthem Chasing Sunsets returns to the boppy energy of its sibling Waiting which is followed by the title track. Mystic Ways brings the groovy moodiness to the fold, but in a way that I almost half expect Jim Morrison to croon hauntingly over the top.
Production is to the point. Nothing too clever, no whizbang modern trickery. The perfectly balanced sound stage just sounds good. Capturing the essence of what is undoubtedly a great live band. Punch it through some good cans or woofers and you’ll be treated for sure.
Sojøurn had their work cut out for them with Mystic Ways. It could’ve been easy to fall foul of the tropes of Aotearoa’s iconic obsession with reggae and dub infused indie rock, but the 6 piece have shown their craft and musicianship is full of many colours. While the EP has all you need for summer live concerts, it’s the gentle moments that prove Sojøurn are up there with the best of them. What did I say again? Surf, Sun, Sojøurn… Summer sorted.SOJØURN are an energetic 7-piece psychedelic surf rock reggae band hailing from Mangawhai. The band have been taking the NZ Music scene by storm performing over 30 shows across the North Island in the last 12 months with some of NZ's heavy hitters. The band play a mixture of upbeat reggae and funk blended with salty surf rock. Summer vibes sorted with this lot.