Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

First Listen: GOAT, 'Commune'

GOAT's new album, <em>Commune</em>, comes out Sept. 23 on Sub Pop and Rocket Recordings.
Tammy Karlsson
/
Courtesy of the artist
GOAT's new album, Commune, comes out Sept. 23 on Sub Pop and Rocket Recordings.

If someone said that the band GOAT took its name from the initials for "Get Out A Tambourine," it'd be easy to believe. The Swedish collective makes irresistible trance/dance music that doubles as hypnotic hippie hoodoo. GOAT captures the spirit of the '60s in its guitar meanderings and acid tones; its rhythms feel inspired by rave culture and electronic music, but are made with hands instead of machines. Oh, and the band members wear masks, hit cowbells, and sing in unison a lot.

Commune, GOAT's second album, balances all that joy with the darkness of krautrock: The band Can and its minimalist excursions come to mind, but then there are also moments that would fit comfortably as an artifact from the first psychedelic era circa 1968. The song titles on Commune ("Talk To God," "Goatchild," "Goatslaves," "Gathering Of Ancient Tribes") tell a story, even when it's hard to make out the words. Throughout, the album's strong, clear vibe positively calls out for listeners to don face paint and grab a cowbell — or even a tambourine.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

In 1988, a determined Bob Boilen started showing up on NPR's doorstep every day, looking for a way to contribute his skills in music and broadcasting to the network. His persistence paid off, and within a few weeks he was hired, on a temporary basis, to work for All Things Considered. Less than a year later, Boilen was directing the show and continued to do so for the next 18 years.