Race to Neptune is a band prone to versatility and impossible to nail down. Their latest release, Oh Contraire, underlines their extensive ambiguity, putting forth a sound that calls to mind everything from Pinback and Cage the Elephant to late ‘90s alternative and mid ‘60s psychedelia. It is an admirable characteristic of the modern artist to exude confidently such ambidexterity while holding concurrently the roots of an original and underlying sound, and this is captured greatly throughout Oh Contraire. We are hit progressively with the electric wanderlust of “Wanderlily,” the dreamy nostalgia of “Iron Satire,” and the rollicking stomp of “The Bayou Brew.” This is certainly a full and impressive work from the Fort Collins-based Race to Neptune.
Studio: Spot Studios
Mixing: Rich Veltrop and Glenn Sawyer
4/5 stars