Song of the Day: Dream Police - Hypnotized

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “Hypnotized” by Dream Police from the 2014 album Hypnotized on Sacred Bones Records.

Dream Police - Hypnotized (MP3)

In between recordings from their other project, The Men members Mark Perro and Nick Chiericozzi began recording psychedelic-leaning rock songs under the moniker Dream Police. After finishing the touring cycle for 2013's New Moon, Perro and Chiericozzi began writing and recording songs as a duo for the first time in years, eventually producing a batch of songs that didn't fit in with The Men's current direction. Teaming up with previous collaborator Kyle Keays-Hagerman for the recording process, the duo spent the next six months wrapping up the eight tracks that would ultimately make up their debut as Dream Police, Hypnotized. Built around a pounding Roland drum machine beat, "Hypnotized" builds a stockpile of hard rock riffs and Suicide-style fuzz into a swirling, furious cloud of melodic static. Perro's calm, ghostly voice floats around, weaving in and out of twin, dueling guitars. "Hypnotized" is a stark contrast from the country and classic rock leanings that The Men have been increasingly tapping into lately, but the vibrancy of Perro and Chiericozzi's new direction only underlines that the duo's output is as compelling as it is unpredictable.

Dream Police are touring in support of Hypnotized for the next few weeks, including a stop at Black Lodge in Seattle on December 12th. Keep up with the band on their blog and The Men's website. Below, watch a clip of the band playing at the David Lynch Foundation Benefit earlier this year.