Elephant Stone - “Pilgrimage”
Photo by Laurine Haddock
Montreal psych rockers Elephant Stone have just shared “Pilgrimage.” The track is a lush, psychedelic tapestry that gives healthy nods to the masters of the genre.
“Pilgrimage” opens to the calm, beckoning sounds of warbling electric guitar. The playing comfortingly fleshes out the main musical hook of the track. Throughout the song, the tones are embraced by rich saxophone playing. I want to draw comparisons to Pink Floyd’s “Us and Them” here, as there is the same sense of immersion and introspection.
As the drums and bass are introduced, I detect hints of Radiohead’s “Airbag.” The relaxed cadence and the way the bass pulses warmly, melodically, and rhythmically is truly satisfying. “Pilgrimage” is also a track where the ghost of later Talk Talk can be felt. The use of texture is playful, avant-garde, and brings a feeling of something profound as the sounds weave expressively.
The vocals on “Pilgrimage” are beautifully light and melodic. The gentle performance feels tinged exquisitely in emotional depth and vulnerability, enhancing the introspective vibes. Lyrically, the track revolves around a real-life moment of meditation and reflection frontman Rishi Dhir had while on tour in the early 2000s. The words are wonderfully breezy, trippy, and vivid.
Elephant Stone’s “Pilgrimage” is a pleasing and innovative track that carries a profound dose of nostalgia. The track would make the perfect addition to any psych lover’s playlist. “Pilgrimage” is the latest single taken off the upcoming LP Back Into The Dream, out February 23rd.