Spiral Galaxy 
A new album from Spiral Galaxy, the duo of flautist Sara Gossett and Streve Krakow (Plastic Crimewave), expands their scope while codifying their vision of psychedelic seance. At the crossroads of drone, raag, kosmiche, and prog-folk, the record redoubles the vision begun on their 202 debut. Underpinned by the hypnotic chug of a vintage drum machine, the record breathes life into embers before catching light into a full formed vision of German Progressive bliss. The duo stick to the pastoral paths, winding through the routes of Popul Vuh, Ash Ra Tempel’s Schwingungen, and Faust. While Gossett’s flutes keep things tangled in the trees, Krakow’s not always one for the more subdued standard. The growl of guitars and a gossamer glow of synth gnaws at the edges, never overshadowing the serenity, but glowering from the edges of the forest, a glint of teeth in the darkness.
Like last time the band invites quite a few familiar names into the fold. II features contributions from both Jen and Matt of Powers/Rolin Duo, Julie Pomerleau (Monica BouBou), Jimmy Lacy (SiP), Lawrence Peters, Drazek Fuscaldo, and a guiding hand from Bobby Conn. Conn serves as both producer on the album and contributor, aiding behind the boards as well as adding vintage rhythms and spoken word passages to the record. There are plenty trying on the temperaments of the kosmiche past these days, but there’s something effortlessly intuitive about Spiral Galaxy. The players are steeped in the storied history of German Heads, not mere YouTube deep dive acolytes gone for thrift-shop flute on a whim. It’s a glowing, glowering gem of a record that pulses and prowls with the best of its influences. No dip into the Galactic Supermarket would be complete without snagging a copy of II.