Bliss

イギリスのサイケデリック・ロックバンドであるテンプルズによる5枚目のフルアルバムが『BLISS』。

前作『Exotico』（2023年）から約3年ぶりとなる本作は、これまでのギター中心のサイケポップから、エレクトロニックやダンスミュージックの要素を大胆に取り入れた新境地を開拓した作品。再びバンド自身によるセルフプロデュースで制作され、テンプルズらしい浮遊感のあるメロディや夢幻的なサウンドスケープと、エレクトロニックなビートが融合した作品。

Since their debut album, 2014s Sun Structures, established them as neo-psychedelic rockers in the first degree, Temples have made a point of never repeating themselves. The albums that followed have taken all sorts of creative left turns, from Volcanos synth-heavy modern pop to Hot Motions stripped-down jangle to Exoticos stadium indie grandeur. The shift they make on 2026s Bliss is their most drastic. Influenced by the electronic music and rave culture of the 90s, the band trade out guitars for synthesizers, pump up the beats, and do their best to add some psychedelic mystery to a very retro dance-rock sound. The album is loaded with slamming beats, huge-sounding synths, jagged sound effects, and dancefloor vibes. Tracks like "Revelation" and "Horizon" sound made for raves, less immediate songs ("Blue Flame" and "Jaguar") have a swirling comedown feeling, and the occasional straightforward pop songs ("Echoes" or "Megalith") are a reminder of the bands earlier sound. When they get the balance of sound, rhythm, and melody right, the results are exciting. The thunderous "Jet Stream Heart" sports a very catchy hook, and the overall dynamics remind one of the way their debut album made old sounds feel new due to their craft and enthusiasm. ~ Tim Sendra

Since their debut album, 2014s Sun Structures, established them as neo-psychedelic rockers in the first degree, Temples have made a point of never repeating themselves. The albums that followed have taken all sorts of creative left turns, from Volcanos synth-heavy modern pop to Hot Motions stripped-down jangle to Exoticos stadium indie grandeur. The shift they make on 2026s Bliss is their most drastic. Influenced by the electronic music and rave culture of the 90s, the band trade out guitars for synthesizers, pump up the beats, and do their best to add some psychedelic mystery to a very retro dance-rock sound. The album is loaded with slamming beats, huge-sounding synths, jagged sound effects, and dancefloor vibes. Tracks like "Revelation" and "Horizon" sound made for raves, less immediate songs ("Blue Flame" and "Jaguar") have a swirling comedown feeling, and the occasional straightforward pop songs ("Echoes" or "Megalith") are a reminder of the bands earlier sound. When they get the balance of sound, rhythm, and melody right, the results are exciting. The thunderous "Jet Stream Heart" sports a very catchy hook, and the overall dynamics remind one of the way their debut album made old sounds feel new due to their craft and enthusiasm. Unfortunately, these moments are in the minority, as most of the record comes across as too slick and too facile to be very interesting. The band seem to have ambitions of merging psychedelia and electronica, adding club vibes and expanding their sound to be something revolutionary, but too often they sound cliched and surprisingly boring. The synthesizer sounds arent particularly well chosen, the melodies are rarely compelling, and the lack of guitars feels like a huge mistake. Instead of becoming the best Temples they could be, they sound like a washed-out version of Cut Copy or another band of that dance-rock ilk. A sound that ran out of steam years ago hasnt been given any new life here. Bliss is a near total misfire with precious few redeeming factors in its favor. ~ Tim Sendra