The follow-up to 2018’s Holy Doom, Divine Machine is laced with Demob’s brand of stoner-psych rock and indie tinges; "Voodoo Science" is the sound of Daft Punk putting their hand to righteous indie, unleashing a searing reminder of the Newcastle-made, Brighton-based trios unique charm.
It’s the most together they’ve sounded. Interspersed throughout are interludes that aid Divine Machine’s continuity and string these wickedly cool slices of music together. A coherent blend that bolsters itself with the framework they’ve already established, Divine Machine elevates itself beyond the strait-laced jams and explores the syncopating psychedelia to a wonderful degree.
The immediate woozy notes of “Token Appreciation Society” set the scene nicely. Rarely do they stray far from this tried and tested method of viciously smooth sounds of guitarist Adam Godfrey as he locks into the rhythmic groove of bassist and vocalist Matthew Marcantonio and drummer Thomas Armstrong, but that's what gives Demob Happy an edge – theirs is a sound that exists on many plains, from the psychedelic to the indie, and each appears with natural ease.
Divine Machines is also solid proof of the ease with which Demob Happy can switch lanes. “Tear It Down” is a studiously driven number that keeps a solid focus while “Super-Fluid” brings a foot-tapping bounce that lopes along while vocalist Marcantiono digs deep for its howling bridge.
With three albums of insatiable grooves under their belt, Demob Happy have proven they’ve got the chops and the edge to cause more than a little bite. Seeing where they can go next however is key, they’ve certainly quelled our curiosity, and they absolutely have our attention.
