Hellified Irie

Originally released as a thin paperback book with a download code, this is what the Florida-born-and-raised Mason calls “a 'surf' record both in tone and concept.” A mixture of solo guitar passages and washes of ambient-drone, it feels like the reverberant, surreal surf of the 60s surrendered to the forces of entropy for a half-century—an unspooled Dick Dale or Beach Boys or Astronauts. Mason recorded much of this album when he returned to Florida to visit his family, and embedded in the music (and his poignant writings) is the process of making peace with home. It's gorgeous and placid—both naturalistic and filled with the white noise of modern life. All pieces are great. No FCCs.

1. (5:59)—Loud waves, radio static, then beautiful, lush, lonely, sun-baked electric guitar that dissolves into warm ambiance.
2. (4:12)—Bubbly, calm, glitchy drone. Lovely, soft acoustic guitar with quiet drone washes.
3. (6:37)—Humming, Ballasted Orchestra-era Stars of the Lid drone.
4. (3:18)—Faded, drifting electric guitar (RIYL Talk West) over drone and tropical sounds.
5. (10:01)—Quiet acoustic guitar strumming and wind chimes give way to wave-like, slightly glitchy drones.
6. (5:06)—Fizzing power line, limpid drone. Super reminiscent of Stars of the Lid's “Dust Breeding” for the first half. Gets a little spacey and surfy.
7. (2:36)—Field recordings, wonderful and very slow solo surf guitar.