Oh My Sexy Lord

It’s clear that psychedelic anarchists Marijuana Deathsquads have a sense of humor—just look at their artwork, album, and label name—but we can’t say these guys make it easy to have a giggle. In fact, the music is rather the opposite of fun, erupting from the quarters of the art-noise camp that digs for a deeper, perhaps unsettling kind of soul-stirring. The Deathsquads’ brand of humor is inarguably dark, and their music demands a bit of work from listeners. With voices running through any number of punishing effects, tempting rhythms that feel like the insides of a madman’s head, and creepy-crawly electronic drones, washes, and (again, tempting) beats, this chaos feels controlled and thoughtful, and darned if it’s not trying to tell us something. Just as bands like Ponytail, Japanther, and Black Dice excel at both confusing and exciting listeners, Marijuana Deathsquads push a few different buttons at once, making for an unquestionably interesting experience. Ryan Olson (of Poliça and Gayngs) is at the helm here, along with sidekick Isaac Gale and a large, rotating roster of players.