At its core, the fourth album from the En Kernaghan Band, titled Energetik, offers lo-fi garage pop, laced with psychedelic influences. Ramshackle yet charming, inimitable but infectious, with vibrant melodies and inviting vocals. However, this isn’t just any release, because we’re talking about the solo project of Australian musician, artist, and experimental instrument maker Ethan “En” Kernaghan.

And so we can’t dismiss these nine songs so bluntly, because this is “new-old sounding”—home-recorded with “handmade, half-broken equipment and haunted cassette machines”—in which Eastern mysticism merges with the deep country past of grandfather Ray Kernaghan and uncle Lee Kernaghan. And to top it off: “There’s an etching on the vinyl runout which features a mantra, so with each clockwise revolution the record itself becomes a functional prayer wheel.”

Whatever level you listen at, it’s 23 intriguing and captivating minutes for busted amps and open minds. Cool stuff.

Energetik—performed, recorded, and mixed by Ethan Kernaghan—is out digitally and on vinyl LP through Holiday Maker Records.

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