THE MYSTERY PLAN – HAUNTED ORGANIC MACHINES
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE ALBUM PREMIERE
There’s something to be said about a band whose sound is chameleonic in a way that fits them like a glove no matter what genre / sound they pursue. There’s something even more clever when this array of sounds can still be achieved within the scope of a single genre or two. Such is the case when it comes to the music of Charlotte, NC-based indie pop artist The Mystery Plan, whose offerings range from light dreampop of the fare we have come to know Sixpence None The Richer to the deeper soulful indietronica and trip-hop of the sort pursued by such artists as Massive Attack, Morcheeba, Basement Jaxx and Thievery Corporation. All good company to be associated with.
Friday brings the release of the collective’s new album Haunted Organic Machines LP, which happens to be their seventh full length album and 13th major release. Hot on the trail of their delightful “Big Bliss”‘ single, featuring Amy Herring on vocals, American boutique label 10mm Omega Recordings. Deliver a pleasantly contrasting proposition here, relative to their recently-released What A Day EP.
Rooted in a gleeful alter of musical inspiration and pop sensibility, this album unfolds like a rewarding experiment in sound, crossing electronic and groovy undertones with musical detours into the realm of fun, engaging and even symphonic tracks. At times on this long-player, the band manages to achieve harmony, in part due to the involvement of both female and male vocals.
These purveyors of bliss-pop have been active on the North Carolina music scene since first forming in 2010 as a duo with Jason Herring and Paul Jensen (Fetchin’ Bones / the Interstellars) writing and producing everything. Jason’s wife, Amy Herring, then joined. Several years later, the line-up was rounded out with Otis Hughes, Patty McLaughlin Thomas and Jefferson Chester.
Produced and mixed by Jason Herring and Rob Tavaglione, Haunted Organic Machines finds the band exploring new, but familiar territory from spacey dance grooves, to spooky, moody dream pop and everything that goes with it.
Prior to this album, the band regularly worked with iconic producer John Fryer (This Mortal Coil, Black Needle Noise), known for seminal releases by Love and Rockets, Dead Can Dance, Nine Inch Nails, Swans, Clan of Xymox, Xmal Deutschland and Stabbing Westward, among others. This collaboration shaped The Mystery Plan albums Queensland Ballroom, Zsa Zsa and You Also Have Eyes, plus an epic remix on the Thought Bubbles record.
As of March 31, the full album can be ordered, both digitally and on CD via Bandcamp, whereas the What A Day EP is also available via Spotify and Apple Music.
Credits
Produced by Jason Herring and Rob Tavaglione
Additional production on “What A Day (Disco)” by That Guy Smitty
Recorded at Bulls Hit Records and Catalyst Recording in Charlotte, NC
Mastered by Rob Tavaglione at Catalyst Recording in Charlotte, NC
Sample on ‘What a Day (Disco)’ by Erykah Badu
Performed by The Mystery Plan (Amy Herring, Jefferson Chester, Patty McLaughlin-Thomas, Otis Hughes and Jason Herring)
Artist photos by Daniel Coston
Album cover photo by Smitty @that_guys_polaroids
Layout by Michelle Rackley at Clear Design
You can also enjoy videos for the album’s two lead tracks:
The Mystery Plan
Haunted Organic Machines
10mm Omega Recordings
Release Date: March 31, 2023
Artist Links
Background Photo Credit: Daniel Coston
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