Kevin Bronson on September 29th, 2014

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Joel Morales’ ascent to stoner svengali of the nascent psych-pop/garage-rock/all-things-retro scene in L.A. has to put a smile on the face of everybody who’s followed him in the past decade. Now using the name Joel Jerome, he makes music and produces young artists associated with the Manimal, Burger and Lolippop labels, his wizened ways earning the nickname “Papa Joel.” It’s well-deserved: As the brilliant psych-pop on the Dios records attests, Joel Jerome was retro before you, and even having survived some difficult years, his immersion in songwriting and production is reaping rewards. Which brings us to “Psychedelic Thriftstore Folk” (out this week on Manimal), his long-overdue solo effort – and, according to him, the tip of the iceberg of some 200-plus songs he has stashed away. Jerome’s trippy excursion into 1960s hymns is typically swathed in reverb, vintage keys, bright guitar work and choral vocals. Depending on the song, he comes off alternately as vulnerable and sensitive, or wry and subversive. It’s a wild ride. Enjoy it.

||| Stream: “Psychedelic Thriftstore Folk”

||| Live: Joel Jerome celebrates his album release with a show Thursday night at the Lexington downtown, along with So Many Wizards, Levitation Room and Winter.

Photo by Julia Brokaw