Float away with Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Unknown Mortal Orchestra delights in jarring listeners from the reveries they create with an equally soulful and blustery garage rock rumble with an ear for Motown.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra frontman Ruban Nielson sings of floating away in a voice that often sounds as if it’s doing just that. Its trajectory: up, up and away.

On the band’s second album, “II,” Nielson’s airy vocals contrast with the density of the trio’s bottom end.

Their tunes can have a hypnotic quality to them at times, but not in a droning, deliberately repetitive kind of way common to many psych rock bands.

Instead, they sustain a mood and invite you to ride it out with them.

But the band also delights in jarring listeners from the reveries they create with an equally soulful and blustery garage rock rumble with an ear for Motown.

And then it’s time to float back up to the clouds once more.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at
jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.