7 Oct 2024
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Psycho Gab - EP Review: Crazy Talk

11 Jul 2024 // A review by Daniel Jones

Psycho Gab, formed in early 2023, this five-piece, neo-soul band based in Tamaki Makaurau, the group claim to have cultivated a unique sound formed at the crossroads between soul, RnB, jazz and pop, leaving endless possibilities of smooth grooves up for exploration. Ridiculously accomplished musicians, who would not be out of place in a Washington DC late night jazz scene. Scatting around The Blues Alley or Birchmere in Alexandria.

The captivating thing about Psycho Gab, is the effortless fluidity between jazz, soul, (even beatnik vibes) and RnB, all held together with a sultry powerful vocal from Rosetta Stone. I don’t know who Psycho Gab’s members are, I’ve never met them, and I want them to remain a mystery, a collective mishmash of genres collating to well driven, well rehearsed, well executed, well managed hive mind for the musical theory purest.

Crazy Talk, confronts young relationships, co-dependency, taking in the world around you and being resilient when things don’t go to plan. There’s a university band feel about the EP, most notably on Orchid Samba, which shows a flex on guitar played by Max Henly and on drums played by Finn McNeill, this isn’t a negative remark but a homage to the naivety and raw talent that is amalgamated in Psycho Gab.

There are similarities Jazz fashion artists like Knower or Thumpasaurus, most notably on Orchid Samba, however, things can be brought down to a smooth, romantic lounge style with Masterpiece, “Falling in love with your best friend is so inconvenient and risky and off-script, but happens so naturally it's pretty much impossible to avoid,” says Rosetta. “It first came to me as an acapella melody, before Caleb (Wong Keys and percussion) reharmonized the chords and we went through lots of different versions before settling on the lush RnB slow jam.”

Crazy Talk is released on July 12th and was written, recorded and mixed across Psycho Gab’s flats, Caleb and Orlando’s home studio - Bilbo’s Clubhouse, Big Fan during Caleb’s residency) and The Lab recording studio with award-winning engineer Olly Harmer.

 

About Psycho Gab

Formed in early 2023, Psycho Gab is the force that challenges everything you thought you knew about good music. A five-piece, neo-soul band based in Tamaki Makaurau, the group have cultivated a unique sound that forms a crossroads between soul, RnB, jazz and pop, leaving endless possibilities of smooth grooves up for exploration.

Their debut single Messy was released in 2023 and saw love from across Aotearoa (95bFM, Radio One). The self-recorded, produced, mixed and mastered single explores the complexities and insecurities of modern relationships through raw and honest lyrics, flanked by a tight ensemble of jazzy keys, smooth guitars, playful bass licks and driving drum grooves.

The group have since been illustrating their passionate kaupapa of putting on spectacular shows with artists they love. In 2023 the collective saw gigs with Casual Healing (Half Cast), SPDRTWNBBY, Na’amah Cheiban (WIJ), Jordyn With A Why, Bub, Elisa, and more. With an exciting year ahead and fresh music on its way shortly, now is the time to basque in the soulful, smooth, and ultimately epic sounds of Psycho Gab.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Psycho Gab

Releases

Crazy Talk
Year: 2024
Type: EP
Messy (Stems)
Year: 2023
Type: Album

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