Os Mutantes

Though rarely heard outside their Brazilian homeland (especially during their brief heyday), Os Mutantes were one of the most dynamic, talented, radical bands of the psychedelic era — quite an accomplishment during a period when most every rock band spent quality time exploring the outer limits of pop music. A trio of brash musical experimentalists, the group fiddled with distortion, feedback, musique concrète, and studio tricks of all kinds to create a lighthearted, playful version of extreme Brazilian pop. Now, 35 years after their last studio album, the group has reformed to record a new album Haih or Amortecedor, (Sept 8, Anti). Seeing the legendary “Tropicália” band live is something Kurt Cobain could have only wished for when he pleaded (unsuccessfully) for them to reunite and tour with Nirvana. Revered by musical luminaries including Beck, Devendra Banhart, David Byrne, Of Montréal, The Flaming Lips and Cobain, the reunited Mutantes offer something far more intriguing than mere psychedelic nostalgia. While the ingenious genre blending Tropicália spirit remains intact on Haih or Amortecedor, it’s clear the Mutantes are not looking to the past, but ahead into further uncharted musical terrain.