Song of the Day: Thee Oh Sees - Web

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of 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 Morning Show with John Richards, is “Web” by Thee Oh Sees from the 2015 album Mutilator Defeated At Last on Castle Face.

Thee Oh Sees - Web (MP3)

Remember when Thee Oh Sees were on hiatus? That was a long month! We joke, but actually it was kind of scary when, back in 2013, John Dwyer announced that the band wouldn't be returning for "a long while". Fortunately, time moves differently in his insect world and the mad genius returned six months later, in 2014, with Drop, another strong LP of entrancing and wide-ranging psych rock. Around that time, he also managed to relocate from San Francisco to Los Angeles and shift not only the lineup of the group but their sound as well. His brand new LP, Mutilator Defeated At Last, focuses more heavily on guitar freakouts while stripping back the synths that had been increasingly encroaching upon his sound. In fact, former keyboardist Brigid Dawson does make an appearance on Mutilator but only on backup vocals. New bassist Timothy Hellman and already departed drummer Nick Murray punch up Dwyer's songs, giving them a refreshed intensity that Dwyer had no doubt been looking for. Check out today's featured song, "Web", the new album's opening track, and as builds upon its biting opening groove to moments of spastic bliss, you'll quickly realize just how hopelessly you're trapped.

Thee Oh Sees have at least slowed down their touring to some degree. Last year, Dwyer performed with a trio, but now he's got two drummers in tow! They recently performed Austin Psychfest Levitation and they're now midway through a string of shows in Europe, but you'll be able to catch them in the Northwest on July 18 when they perform as part of Project Pabst Festival in Portland. Look for more dates on the band's website, but not before you watch them play "Web" live at Death By Audio late last year: