Today's Hot Track :: Zoo Zero - Fraktion

For the first airing from their forthcoming debut album, London psych outfit Zoo Zero have gone all out with a seven-minute-plus monster in 'Fraktion'. Combining elements of psych, motorik and shoegaze, whilst the vocals of Tom Pinnock take on an almost Eastern approach at times. With its two-minute non-vocal instrumental lead-in, drone build-up and long instrumental passages scattered throughout, it easily compares to TOY crossed with the Cold Pumas. And if that particular sound is what grabs you, then this is going to be something hogging your eardrums.

'Fraktion' is the first release from the quartet since their debut EP, the vinyl-only 'Green Apples' EP, early last year.

The album itself finds the band exploring their more experimental influences – including Sonic Youth, Mission Of Burma and This Heat – while journeying further into the nocturnal psychedelic pop of Julian Cope, Robyn Hitchcock, MGMT, XTC and Deerhunter.

The self-titled, eight-track album, released on September 30 thru Crest Cont. Records, was recorded at west London’s Sofa Sound Studios with engineer Scott Knapper (Scott Walker, Van Der Graaf Generator), expands on the band's avant-rock sound, extending some tracks to epic lengths and developing a more complex, textured sound daubed with feedback and drones – all created purely with guitars, drums and vocals.

'Zoo Zero' will be available as a download or on white vinyl, featuring a Pepper-tastic locked groove on the second side.

The group will launch the album at London’s Dalston Victoria on October 1, and headline London’s Finsbury on September 7.

Zoo Zero are: Tom Pinnock (guitar/vocals), Matthew Barnes (drums/backing vocals), Jonathon Lines (guitar), Christian Sancto (bass).