GT Ultra was my introduction to Guerilla Toss. I heard “Skull Pop” come on KEXP and was so instantly enamored that I about crashed the car I was driving. In some ways it remains their most accessible even as they’ve moved towards a more melodic sound pop with more traditionally sung vocals. This record was also a step up from their previous (also great!) records in terms of cohesiveness and ambition. The earlier stuff leaned a little more heavily on the weirdo funk and the psychedelic dub. The vibe  on this one is “Talking Heads if Byrne tripped.” GT Ultra is a true psychedelic dance-punk record that’s very well rounded. The songwriting is killer, it’s got a very intricate disco/kraut thing going with the rhythm section, wonderful saturated synths, and of course Arian Shafiees singular electric guitar discretely driving each track.

If you haven’t seen them yet live, beware: Guerilla Toss is a full on jam band. Even as they’ve gotten a little more synth pop. Even as they’ve toured with indi rock legends like Pavement and Built To Spill. Even as they’ve signed to Subpop and Shafiees releases experimental guitar music on Tzadik. These guys fucking jam. The love for the Dead and Phish is real. The light show is on point. And the live arrangements are absolutely dosed beyond what even the most psychedelic of their tracks can offer. I find their live show to be one of the most consistently thrilling that the modem music scene has to offer and I recommend it as highly as I recommend this wonderful record.