To define KiQ’s debut FuU (pronounced “fu-yū”) as mere ‘folk’ seems to do it some kind of disservice. FuU is nearly always pushing into new stylistic territory, from squelching acid psych to classic, Velvet Underground-esque rock and roll, venturing far beyond folk’s typical instrumental simplicity. So, while FuU is mostly grounded in folk – Yamanoha’s lyrics are outwardly, unabashedly poetic, while the record’s fundamentals feature a kind of folk prettiness and are antiquely lo-fi in recording quality – the record is most distinctive for its progressive impulses. The real reasons to tune are the instances where KiQ extend and explore, building upon those solid foundations to embrace kinds of grandeur varying from plodding dub to looping psychedelia.

Listen to “Atachipa” below.