“Razzle-Dazzle” by Fog Father

Portland trio Fog Father describes themselves as “electronic art pop psychedelia funk proto-cone.” A quick Google search of “proto-cone” leads me to the “Glossary of Mammalian Dental Topography” Wikipedia page, so I’ll let you chew on that for a minute. The rest of the descriptors, however, are fully accurate.

Razzle-Dazzle, the group’s new EP, is a delightful blend of synth-tickling electronica and juicy bass lines. Clocking in at a brisk 14 minutes, Razzle-Dazzle is beautifully self-contained. Fog Father evokes Meddle-era Pink Floyd in its depth and delicacy, especially during the roughly two-minute transition between “No Chimes” and “Shrine,” complete with fuzzy spoken words and airy guitar lines.

“Cone House” is a nostalgic sojourn through a dreamy memory with a simple and catchy synth hook. The lead guitar lines nicely underscore and propel the track, popping up to wail a bit before settling back down just below the surface. Similarly, “Summer Heat,” ethereal and loose, wanders in and out of dripping chords to paint a misty portrait that manages to tug along the listener without being sluggish.

While the first three quarters of the album tumble around in dreamland, “Ghost Colors” is an infusion of psych-funk that is a nice jolt to the system. The synth and bass lines punch around over a windswept background, offering a nice juxtaposition of energy with the first handful of tracks.

Razzle-Dazzle, despite its brief running time, acquits itself nicely. Unlike other EPs that hit the airwaves, it feels complete in its brevity, and Fog Father comes across as a group with a strong sense of direction and talent. »