Grails stand as one of America's deepest reservoirs of psych-rock transcendence. Anyone who's had their mind split open by albums such as Take Refuge in Clean Living, Burning Off Impurities, Doomsdayer's Holiday, or Black Tar Prophecies can attest to the Portland ensemble's Morricone-on-peyote rambles. They haven't released anything since 2017's slightly mellower but still magisterial Chalice Hymns, so perhaps we'll get some new Grails material this time. You also should not miss Nathan Bowles (formerly of magnificent folkadelic/drone explorers Pelt, current member of Black Twig Pickers), a percussionist/banjo player who elevates Appalachian folk music to sublime summits. by Dave Segal