Summer driving season is almost here and White Orange should be at the top of the playlist for all fans of straightforward, acid-fried rock and roll. Their debut is simple, straightforward stoner rock that pays homage to the influence of Kyuss and Monster Magnet, balanced by the catchy pop influence that Queens of the Stone Age rode to fame. It’s a perfect soundtrack for a nice, slow, extra-careful summertime drive through the country.

Though their riffs have a similar robotic structure and singer Dustin Hill has a suitably Homme-like vocal tone, their songs never reach the coked out frenzy or syrupy sweetness of QOTSA. Rather, the album locks in a mesmerizing, rhythmic middle ground. Laid back, catchy-as-hell rock drenched in squalling distortion, scorching fuzz and enough washed out psychedelia to satisfy the burnout in us all. “Where”, “Wonderful” and “Sunspots” are certified face-melting burners while “Sigourney Weaver” closes the album nicely ala Monster Magnet’s “Vertigo”.

The whole magilla is wrapped in a bright, crisp production that highlights the color and texture of the guitar, which eschews the burly low end of many stoner rock bands. The instruments are smartly layered and the bass is prominent enough in the mix that they don’t need to compensate with a super heavy guitar tone. The songs are to the point and simply structured. The riffs and fuzz crawl in your head as the vocals soothe and calm. It’s top shelf rock and roll, front to back, and a damn fine record for those relaxing summer drives.

[Visit the band's website]

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