Review: The Jim Mitchells, ‘Love Hypnotic’

It’s no coincide the young Sydney band, The Jim Mitchells, released their debut LP, Love Hypnotic, on the day of love itself – Valentine’s Day – it’s a psych drenched sentiment shower.

Now, I don’t know too much about recording processes, chord progressions or even how to play ‘chopsticks’ on piano, but I have done my fair share of crowd-surfing at the mercy of those below, so I’m more than qualified to review an album. 

The 5-piece boy band hit the big-stage with their EP, Planet Absorbed, back in 2016 and I’ve been digging their psych shrouded soundscapes since. This time they’re back with a softer, more-developed and polished sound.

Even Tinder matches are loving it!

Throughout 2017 they dropped two singles, Ankle Deep and Easy Love, and now those two tracks are housed amongst the long waited LP. If you’re sick of the pretentious of Pitchfork reviews or the abundance of derivative memes found on MTV, then I’m sure your music and literary sweet spots will be tickled by this review.

Alternatively, you can read more sensible and experienced reviews over at Life Without Andy and HHHHappy (who evidently aren’t aware of the backspace button).

Let’s pretend I have more than a Spotify premium account connected to a portable speaker, and take this LP for a hypothetical spin one side, one track at a time. 

Listen along as you read to experience the true co-relationship between the aural pleasures of the Mitchells and my unwavering critique.  

(Let Them All In)

With an introduction similar to Roxy Music’s opener, Re-Make/Re-model, the Love Hypnotic intro starts off with lingering, yet lasting lead guitar, intertwined with a soft murmuring of whispers, which the pre-set happenings if you were there in the flesh.

If you haven’t entered the world of the Jimmies before, then this is your perfect entrance, a soft-psych pop sound which alludes to the tone of the later tracks.

Ankle Deep

One of the bands teaser singles – with an accompanying film clip – reminds me of my early Allah Las frother days.

The “ooo’s” and “ahh’s” along with an immediately satisfying rhythm guitar will have this one ingrained in your brain for days to come. It’s somewhat 60’s psych-pop, but also kind of not.

From the words I can distinguish I can recognise the word “water” – must be one for all you surfers out there. 

Where is?

With a title like ‘Love Hypnotic’ you know it’s bound to have one or two love ballads on there – this is one of them.

The boys have slowed it down from the beguiling waves of the previous track. ‘Where is?’ is a stripped back and soothing number about waiting for the one you love. Probably don’t flick on this cut though without your lover though, unless you want those eye ducts of yours to be streaming salty tears.

We’re Up High

A little janglier than it’s swooning predecessor, but just what you need to kick you out of the love-laden daze. ‘We’re Up High’ is slightly more reminiscent of the previous garage psychedelia heard on their EP, however, it still maintains more of that Eno-like ambient haze which encompasses the album’s eight tracks.

Easy Love

Looks like the lads also know how to work their way around a synth, and oh man does it suit this track. I get a bit of The Walking Who vibe here, but that’s certainly no complaint. 

I’m not entirely sure about the lyrical content though, because the only ‘easy love’ is my unadulterated love for Dane’s salt water prowess. Other than that the only love I’ve ever encountered is one filled with fights and me dishing out for dinners.

Got To Believe

The standout track for me – which surprisingly wasn’t a single. A little bit of early 70’s jangle, some indie-pop ooo’s, a warbled inner vocal segment, all seasoned with an ambient outgoing synth. It’s just like Lonerism without all the high-end whining! 

Fuck knows that I’m meant to be believing in, but I’m all for it after this slice.

Magnetic

A bit of a slow-burner, a few vocal harmonies thrown in for good measure too. Don’t sleep on this one!

(…She’s Why)

What the closer lacks in lyrical verbosity it makes up for in heart string pulling sentiment. Sometimes you don’t have to construct Dylan like poetry in order to have the message resounding in the minds of the listener.

A faultless little outro to the Jim Mitchells debut mini-LP.  

The Verdict

It’s a detour from their garage resounding reverbs of their EP, but Love Hypnotic shows that the Jim Mitchells are comfortable outside of the lo-fidelity zone and are capable of a little synth-soaked loving.

What’s that? Words aren’t enough for you? Do you need numbers and ratings before you go straight to Spotify, iTunes or even order yourself a piece of Jim Mitchells poly vinyl chlroride embedded with sound – which you can purchase from Third Eye Stimuli Records. 

Well, you’re in luck, I’m the quantitative over qualitative kind and I give the debut effort from the city slickers a Richie Porta supported:

4.17/5 

A strong effort from the boys, one which Kelly Slater wanted to score even higher despite not landing himself a copy.