Unknown Mortal Orchestra is the moniker of an outfit led by New Zealand by-way-of Portland songwriter and guitarist Ruban Nielson whose sideways falsetto marries cracked psychedelia with soulful touchstones: to blend a off-kilter pop wash that’s both invigorating and ever so slightly unsettling. Today’s track “Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark),’ is the first bittersweet taste of alt-pop from their album due out on new home Jagjaguwar next year.Taking us to the bottom of the ocean and inside the motivations of a shark, its clean riffs and bizarre classicism are reminiscent of both the buzz and tone of the Flaming Lips, and the surrealist imagery of Syd Barrett.
With bassist Jacob Portrait and drummer Greg Rogrove, Unknown Mortal Orchestra is preparing a full-length for Jagjaguwar in early 2013. In the meantime, the band have a number of upcoming North American tour dates, including an East Coast run with Grizzly Bear.
