Here’s a short surprise: out of nowhere I found out about Kosmodome, a Norwegian duo who traffics in an amalgam of stoner, psych, and progressive rock that reaches back to the experimentation of the late 60s and early 70s while maintaining firm footing in more modern rock in the vein of bands like Elder and King Buffalo. Sophomore release Ad Undas only came out about two months ago, but since discovering it and this band I’ve had it on constantly. Is the duo the new trio for me? Unknown, but I’ll say that the sense of space and the way the band weaves in a vintage aesthetic with their tunes immediately made this a Best of 2024 selection.

There’s an interesting African rhythmic swing to the opening of “Neophobia” that evolves into this circular riff, the drums working very light, almost jazzy in the attack. That very tight, plucked strings continue to emphasize the global influence in the band’s songwriting, and when the vocals kick in that influence is blended with a 60s folk/rock vibe in the way guitarist/vocalist Sturle Sandvik (his brother Severin is the drummer)harmonizes against himself.

I keep coming back to this description again and again when reviewing music, but I really love how bands use space and air in their music. There’s nothing inherently bad about layer upon layer of sound taking up every atom of space in a massive collage of sound, but I’ve always been really interested in how bands – especially smaller configurations – employ the use of space in their music. As the slide guitar solo continues on “Neophobia” I keep thinking back to the air and reverb of Severin’s sticks in the percussion. It gives the impression you’re sitting in the room with them as they work these songs out. Second track “Hyperion” leads with a galloping bass line that slowly gives way to a slinky, sinewy guitar line that slowly ascends as the bass maintains that galloping drive.

That sense of circular riffs and rhythms, taking classic 70s rock and prog and giving it the air and space to breathe with the stoner rock revival of the past few years works wonders for Kosmodome and Ad Undas. And at only six songs and 41 minutes it’s the perfect length to digest as a whole. From the eastern-tinged opening to “Dystopia” to the slower, groovy drive of closer of “Fatigue” with some terrific vocal work and great small flourishes of weirdness there’s not a weak moment to be had anywhere on the album. This was such a great surprise, out of nowhere drawing on the close of the year that I needed to add it to my list of favorite albums. Haven’t checked out the debut yet simply because this one is so good…