It’s impressive that Swedish psychedelic outfit Goat has managed to remain anonymous for three albums. Strong, shuffle-stomp ritualistic rhythms and a wailing female voice define the masked group, which draws influences from European folk, funk, Afrobeat, and ’70s psych-rock.
Requiem is as creative as their acclaimed second album, World Music, but has a narrower musical focus, calmer delivery and greater warmth. The album opens with the peaceful birdsong and thoughtful verses of Djorolen, then moves to the enchanting acoustic melodies of It’s Not Me, and the infectious dance carnival that is Trouble in the Streets and the mandolin-led Try My Robe.
Goatfuzz and Goatband are more straight rock, while other songs use traditional instruments and a tribal, field-recording feel. Simple motifs – repeated for almost exorcistic effect – can grate on instrumental tracks like Temple Rhythms.
In all, Requiem moves Goat even further from gimmickry and reveals a band taking as much control over its sound as its image.