A lot of artists strive for a retro sound, but scratch away the top layer and often there’s a lack of creativity lurking underneath. Not so with Ty Segall’s ‘Possession’. With this gem of an album, the prolific psych-rock songwriter has assembled a well-rounded, classic-sounding record that pays homage to greats such as Tom Petty, The Eagles and Neil Young alongside nuanced strings, commanding wind arrangements and electrifying guitar solos. It may be his best yet.
Throughout, Segall’s writing is wholly immersive, forging an atmosphere fit for the pages of a great American novel. It begins with Shoplifter, a ballad that explores the desperation and exhaustion that comes from economic turmoil over gorgeous harmonies and sweeping violins, with a sombre ambience creating the feeling of sitting at a kitchen table chewing it over.
For the rockers out there, there is no shortage of guitar pyrotechnics and infectious keyboard grooves. When the overdrive kicks in during Fantastic Tomb it’s like slamming your foot down on a desert highway.
During Skirts of Heaven, a commanding bassline underpins string, a crunchy guitar tone and jubilant trumpets — all you can do is sit back, look out across the horizon, and admire the absence of boundaries.
Throughout, the orchestral flecks are a sublime addition to Segall’s palette, coming to particular prominence on Alive. While a loose, rambling acoustic guitar swings the song into action, the strings are accents in the spot where a dirty blues guitar would normally strike. It’s in these tiny moments that Segall’s meticulous vision for the album comes into full fruition.
If we’re going to pick holes in it, Segall sometimes fades out the guitar jams just when they’re reaching their peak, and you feel as if you may have prematurely dusted off your air guitar. It’s a tease — maybe warning of too much of a good thing — but it’s hard to argue with the curation of a record that goes so much further than most bands could envision. Instead of giving us run-of-the-mill dad rock, Segall has delivered a refined, spectacular rock ‘n’ roll symphony.
Ty Segall Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Wed October 08 2025 - SOLANA BEACH California - Belly Up (USA)
Thu October 09 2025 - SOLANA BEACH California - Belly Up (USA)
Sat October 11 2025 - SAN FRANCISCO California - Regency Ballroom (USA)
Mon October 13 2025 - PORTLAND Oregon - Wonder Ballroom (USA)
Tue October 14 2025 - SEATTLE Washington - Neumos (USA)
Wed October 15 2025 - VANCOUVER British Columbia - Rickshaw Theatre (Canada)
Sat October 18 2025 - SACRAMENTO California - Crest Theatre - Sacramento (USA)
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