Melody’s Echo Chamber aka French singer/guitarist Melody Prochet, is one of the greatest psychedelic musicians of our time. Across her remarkably consistent discography it’s hard to pick favorites. However I feel like since her 2012 debut the music has generally gotten better and better. This album is a new peak in an incredible career.

Perhaps this music flies under the radar because its delicate chamber pop sensibilities are too catchy for certain psych heads, and inversely the intense, lush production and psychedelic jams might be lost on folks looking for soft pop. I think she unjustly lost fans as she moved away from the tight, accessible style of her Kevin Parker produced debut and found her own sound.

This newest record Unclouded was immaculately produced by Stockholms Sven Wunders. Sven is a real IYKYK jazz/library musician with a deep bag of influences and skill. There’s a lot of complex rhythmic interplay, talented strings, delicate guitar tones and huge reverb present. The protection and recording on something like this has top tier and Sven delivered. They were joined by Melody’s longtime collaborator and guitarist Reine Fiske, a major contributor since 2018s Bon Voyage. Fiske is well known for his unmistakable guitar work in groups like The Amazing, Dungeon, Träden, and Motorpsycho. There’s other compelling new additions to the group but one stands out to me, drummer Malcom Catto of The Heliocentrics. I’ve always felt that his group is one of the foremost psychedelic jazz outfits on the planet with an impeccable catalog since day one. Though ultimately understated, you could pick his drumming out of a lineup by ear nine times out of ten after one listen through his discog. He’s the perfect player here. Catto is an excellent bridge between Svens jazzy arrangements and the undercurrents of psychedelic rock.

The songs on this album are emotional and sonically rich. The vocals are light as a feather, and though they drift by like a dream for most of the record they’re also the anchor for some of the most dramatic moments and emotional highs. The lyrics are very psychedelic. There’s lots of visualisations of settings and sensations. They’re songs that are instantly gorgeous with wonderful strings and piano and such drenched in reverb. Though it’s on the softer side for sure but the record is still packed with the exciting crescendos, breakdowns and upbeat grooves of a high effort rock record.

It’s almost hard to believe so much artistry, complexity and momentum can be found in a thirty minute album. I think that’s a real testament to the talent present and also something that makes psychedelic pop so interesting. It’s not easy to create concise and memorable songs that grab you immediately. To deliver such emotional richness and psychedelic exploration in that pop package makes for very special music.