Ripley Johnson of Rose City Band

I remember the *day* the first Rose City Band record quietly dropped, and when I say quietly, I mean, well, quiet in that distinct way the project’s mastermind and (usually) sole member Ripley Johnson makes richly textured, vibrant psychedelic music without relying on noise or feedback alone. It took no time at all for the music internet to put together that the overlap in signature tones and licks from Ripley’s other projects and those heard on Rose City Band were one in the same.

As a huge fan of his work with Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, his artistic evolution to embracing the cosmic country side of sound was a thrilling development, and the music just continues to get better. Hank sure ain’t done it this way. Extremely complex and layered, Rose City Band’s music is still deeply psychedelic, but Johnson’s stylistic choices make his passion for the genre clear. He channels the Dead and Neil Young but makes the genre all his unique own.

This time around, Johnson invited fellow Portlander Barry Walker Jr. to add his space-y pedal steel to add even more sonic lushness to the sound. Ryan Jewell, John Jeffrey, and Sanae Yamada also make appearances on this record, rounding out Johnson’s kaleidoscopic guitar riffs and his voice like the wind, and making that high lonesome sound a little friendlier. In its entirety, Ripley continues making connected, sublimely enchanting pieces of art that are a welcome welcome to summer but warm the soul all year long.

Earth Trip is out 6/25 on Thrill Jockey. Pre-order on Bandcamp.