Spacemen 3
Recurring

"Recurring" marks the fascinating and fragmented epilogue of Spacemen 3's career. This work, recorded separately by the two guitarists, Sonic Boom and Jason Pierce, appears as a collage of restless and suspended ideas rather than a clear and coherent narrative. The first side of the album, curated by Sonic Boom, delves into bold and experimental sonic territories that sharply deviate from the group's previous path. "Big City" ventures into dancepop territory, embracing suggestive electronic sounds à la Kraftwerk (on acid), while "Why Couldn't I See" explores a raga-rock with an enigmatic atmosphere. "Set Me Free" seems like an incursion into eccentric psychedelia, evoking a sense of alienation and unease. However, it is with "Feelin' Just Fine" that Sonic Boom explores more conceptual territories, suggesting a future direction that's intriguing even if still in its embryonic state. Nevertheless, this initial section of the record appears as an unfinished work, a series of sketches left in suspense rather than a coherent narrative. It is in the second half that flashes of genius emerge, which have characterized the journey of the Spacemen 3. Tracks like "Feel So Sad" emerge as artistic pinnacles, distilling the essence of the band's entire corpus into a poignant ballad. However, despite this return to the roots, Pierce's work reflects a constant struggle to find a definitive artistic identity. Ultimately, "Recurring" proves to be an ambiguous and multifaceted chapter in the story of Spacemen 3. Although it fails to match the group's past records, the album stands as a testament to their creative divergence and the future paths taken by the individual members.