Psychedelic rock finds refreshing new life in MOST FUN, the upcoming album from the Fuzziliers. Recorded in just seven days, this nine-track outing clocks in at a lean 36 minutes yet carries a dynamic impact that belies its quick gestation. The band’s self-styled description—“Iron Butterfly covering the Kinks or vice versa”—proves accurate: it’s a heady blend of throwback psychedelia, spiked with a raw garage-rock edge and adventurous improvisations reminiscent of a well-seasoned jam band.
The story behind MOST FUN is as compelling as the music itself. Fuzziliers formed in St. Petersburg, Russia, but relocated to Istanbul, Turkey, in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Those upheavals lend the album a sense of exile, layered with both sorrow and renewed energy. Istanbul’s rich cultural tapestry weaves through the band’s songwriting, lending an ever-present “hüzün” (the Turkish term for a particular strain of melancholia) to the music. Eastern percussion instruments like Moroccan krakebs and Turkish baglama mingle with crunchy guitar riffs and pounding drums, forging an innovative bridge between Western classic rock influences and Middle Eastern tonality.
From the ominous post-punk thrash of the title track “Most Fun” to the drum machine-meets-framed drum rhythms of opener “CTRL,” Fuzziliers refuse to be pigeonholed. You might hear echoes of proto-metal heaviness, nods to British Invasion chord progressions, and even jazz-inflected detours reminiscent of Wilco’s more experimental moments. It’s a shape-shifting sound that easily keeps listeners on their toes.
Lyrically, the Fuzziliers tackle universal themes of love, loss, and existential unease—plus a dash of political commentary. The band’s leader, Slava Lobanov, best known for his work as both a jazz musician and collaborator with Russian rapper Oxxxymiron, brings an eclectic spirit that filters throughout these songs. His knack for mixing different musical vocabularies is amplified by the rest of the group’s background in folk, jazz, and rock. The result is an album that feels spontaneous yet purposeful, introspective yet bursting with anthemic energy.
In an era dominated by slick production and carefully constructed personas, MOST FUN stands out precisely because it’s not overthought—its vibrant, improvisational core is the real draw. If you crave the kaleidoscopic swirl of classic psych paired with the raw immediacy of indie rock, the Fuzziliers offer a ride worth taking. Keep your eyes on these Istanbul transplants; MOST FUN may well become a sleeper favorite for anyone seeking mind-expanding grooves seasoned with genuine heart and soul.
