Ever had a cathartic experience where you felt hypnotised yet utterly in control at the same time? Well, we imagine PacificUV have. In fact we think their ultimate goal is to recreate this paradoxical sensation ad infinitum, as if they are willing you to lie flat on your back, close your eyes and search for a deeper self-awareness hidden within the secret chambers of your mind mansion.

Formed in Athens, Georgia, in the 1990s, the band started out wanting to sound like ‘a psychedelic Jesus and Mary Chain tripping on Nyquil’, relying heavily on their ability to assimilate a myriad of musical influences to produce their neo-psychedelic, dream-pop soundscape. This was true for their celebrated self-titled debut back in 2002 (an album Rolling Stone magazine called ‘a masterpiece’), but it rings even more appropriately for their third and latest album released earlier this year, Weekends.

With heavy use of guitar distortion and synths, combined with their droney, whispering vocals which are almost indistinguishable from the wall of white sound created by the instruments, their music is shoegazey, spacey post-rock all mixed into one, with the timely use of violins, pianos and drum machines to showcase their pop sensibilities as well.

Inspired by the works of Kraftwerk and Magnetic Fields, Weekends lends itself to danceable electro-pop beats while still fully maintaining the ambient and atmospheric characteristics which have become PacificUV’s trademark. Listen to the track Funny Girl to hear the band’s first step into this hybrid territory. Another revelatory door into what this band is about: their self-reflective and daydream-esque blog shares not only the band’s most intimate thoughts but also a stranger’s diary from the 70s as he battles his existence after the loss of his wife (www.pacificuv.com/blog).

Best of all, PacificUV finally travel across the Pacific and embark on their first Asian tour, so come along, tune in and drop out.

James Kim 

PacificUV play Hidden Agenda on Fri May 18. Tickets: 9183 0906; info@chopxticks.com