Lithium Magazine

Secret City Records/Secretly Canadian

By Andrew Horan

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www.myspace.com/suuns

The sophomore effort from Montreal psych-rockers Suuns has the claustrophobic feel of a nightmare.

While most psych bands layer on the sounds, Suuns get by with more and it serves the album's 10 tracks perfectly. Even the sunny outlook that informs the genre isn't present with Ben Shemie's hypnotic, at times ghostly vocals and disturbing lyrical imagery.

Though the raw, distorted, almost metal-style riffing that opens the album on 'Powers Of Ten' is a bit misleading. The off-kilter guitars on '2020' give the song an unsettling feel, which only further contributes to the feeling of dread that permeates Images Du Futur.

Even the title is fitting, the entire record feels like it could be the soundtrack to a film set in a dystopian future or even an alternate score to Orwell's 1984. Take in context with the rest of the album, the canned laughter on the closer 'Music Won't Save You' almost sounds uncomfortable.

It's one of those records that unfolds slowly and requires patience from the listener. The first single 'Edie's Dream' doesn't seem like much at first but with each subsequent listen, it turns up various nuances.

Don't pick up this album expecting something cheerful. Suuns have taken psych-rock in new, exciting and often frightening directions. It gives the genre a much-needed shot in the arm, even though that shot would doubtlessly leave it feeling a little woozy and uneasy.