7/10
It is hard to imagine a time in which Mortal Prophets weren't one of the more prolific names rising on the underground music scene. The New York-based project from John Beckmann have been on this incredibly broad and adventurous journey lately, turning out a wealth of shimmering and diverse works that take influence from the widest spectrum of musical inspiration possible. And as we enter a new year, they are back to their old ways once again to release their latest studio album 'Ghost Land', a record they claim is their "best album ever!"
Offering up a more inventive approach to both its production and instrumentation, 'Ghost Land' instantly pulls you in with its rich and kaleidoscopic soundscapes. Taking cues from the more ethereal elements of the psychedelic arena, their newest outing makes for wonderfully spirited listening as they look to take stock of what they have created until now, and push the aesthetics of it as far as they will go. Delivering this winding texture that ebbs and flows across all twenty-three tracks, Mortal Prophets continue their stellar ascent with a truly mesmerising and expansive delight here.
Times have certainly been extremely busy for them lately, but to turn out a full-length this vast and innovative takes some serious ingenuity. Luckily Beckmann has that in spades as he returns with not just a wondrous array of gems, but clearly the next phase in the project's musical evolution to date.