Artist: Mortal Prophets Album: ICNCLST/ Genre: Glam Rock, Art Rock, Alternative Rock Release Date: August 20th, 2024
With ICNCLST/, John Beckmann of Mortal Prophets continues his sonic exploration into the depths of the American psyche, following the striking blues-infused Dealey Plaza Blues with an equally captivating and experimental EP. This 7-song project, produced by David Sisko and mastered by Mike Tucci, infuses Beckmann’s penchant for rock-tinged pop with swirling psychedelia, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that is both haunting and engaging. ICNCLST/ feels like the soundtrack to a heat-soaked, late-summer dream, tinged with an ever-present sense of unease.
Opening with tracks like “Flowers For You,” Beckmann sets a trippy, atmospheric tone, blending sitar sounds and crying pedal steel guitar with reverbed vocals that reverberate across your mind. This track is a standout, both chiming with nostalgic charm and cutting deep with a modern edge, encapsulating the complex emotional landscape of our time. Beckmann’s vocals, intertwined with Gerald Menke’s ethereal guitar work, create a soundscape that’s both expansive and intimate—a delicate balance that permeates the entire EP.
“The Sun Is On Fire” brings a propulsive energy, reminiscent of The Doors but filtered through an 80s lens. Beckmann’s lyrics, dark and fatalistic (“the sun is on fire and we live to die”), mirror the tension in the song’s driving rhythm, offering a bleak yet captivating narrative of existential dread. There’s a rawness here, not just in the words but in the atmosphere the music creates—this is rock and roll for the disillusioned, a sonic representation of modern life’s unraveling edges.
“Bang Bang” stands out as a noirish urban odyssey, filled with intrigue and a sense of impending danger. The accompanying music video, shot in stark black and white, perfectly complements the track’s eerie undercurrent, evoking the shadowy allure of classic spy thrillers. It’s moody, it’s sultry, and it slinks into your consciousness with the ease of a shadow passing through dimly lit streets.
The EP takes a more minimalist turn with “Who’s That Girl,” a slow-motion synth-wave track that weaves Beckmann’s baritone through layers of yearning and cynicism. The instrumentation here is sparse but impactful, allowing the song’s emotional weight to carry through. Beckmann’s ability to convey complex feelings through both lyric and sound is on full display, making this track feel like the emotional core of the EP.
As ICNCLST/ winds down, “So Real” and “Like The Night” delve into ghostly, atmospheric realms. These songs feel like velvet fever dreams, where basslines pulse gently in the background and Beckmann croons about the visceral ache of longing. There’s a poetic quality to these tracks, reminiscent of the Romantic poets, where love and loss intertwine in ways that feel both otherworldly and deeply human.
The EP closes with “Dreamland,” a kaleidoscopic wonder that floats between the surreal and the serene. Beckmann’s vocals are tender here, asking the existential question, “Did you ever wonder where dreams come from?” It’s a fitting conclusion to an EP that feels like a journey through the subconscious, with each track pulling the listener deeper into Beckmann’s introspective world.
ICNCLST/ is not just an EP that invites repeat listening—it demands it. Each spin reveals new layers, new textures, and new emotional depths. Beckmann and his collaborators, particularly Sisko and Menke, have crafted a collection of songs that reflect the chaos, beauty, and fragility of our modern times. It’s experimental, it’s unique, and it pushes the boundaries of pop music in ways that will leave you pondering long after the final note fades.
Mortal Prophets continues to be a relentless creative force, and ICNCLST/ cements Beckmann’s position as a master of crafting well-constructed yet deeply unconventional music. If you’re looking for something that stretches beyond the typical boundaries of rock, pop, or psychedelic music, this EP will resonate with you. David Byrne would be proud.
Check them out on socials:
https://www.mortalprophets.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Y2UzZ6Uelgt7zmIuWlZ6R
https://soundcloud.com/mortalprophets
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6iKjSyTp0VVbAYRz6bgVZA
https://www.instagram.com/mortalprophets/
https://x.com/MortalProphets
https://www.facebook.com/MortalProphets/
“Flowers For You” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating DA DA DA - Best New MusicWe discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
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