Sleepy Sun

The songs on the dynamic debut of San Francisco’s Sleepy Sun, Embrace, range from the synapse-frying crackle of heavy stoner riffing to dark forest folk—all in all, the music of hippies and druids. Songs like “White Dove” and “New Age” are blistering acid rock, but they are composed with a patience that makes their seven- and eight-minute lengths essential. These songs are evenly balanced with psych folk, such as the intimate “Duet with the Northern Sky.” When they hit, such maturity and variety double the impact of the crushing numbers.

Sleepy Sun have shared bills with legends ranging from Mudhoney and the Jesus Lizard to drug rock titans Sleep and Spiritualized, and their star is still rising—a collaborative single and EP with U.N.K.L.E. is in the works, and they’re currently on tour with Arctic Monkeys. Expect them to play with their faces painted for war. Expect reverb-drenched co-ed vocals and dual guitars, hypnotic fuzz bass and a solid drummer who’s not afraid to solo. Expect rock ’n’ roll on high. —Corbie Hill