Kevin Bronson on August 26th, 2022

0

Few artists offer the kind of temporary refuge from this mortal coil as Lionel Williams, aka Vinyl Williams.

He’s a double threat — a formidable visual artist as well as a purveyor of transformative sunshine pop. His take on psychedelia transcends the usual reliance on mere effects and reverb, seducing with off-kilter song structures and shifting grooves. A freer Free Design, if you will. Or Stereolab trapped in a warehouse full of poppies.

Today brought the release of his new album, “Cosmopolis,” his sixth. It was made at Non Plus Ultra during the pandemic and features Williams backed by guitarist Nathan Najera, guitarist-vocalist Nick Logie and drummer Eric Werner. Samira Winter contributes vocals on “Modern Arch.”

It’s truly immersive — like his interactive website, where “Cosmopolis” has been hidden (but we haven’t been able to find it).

||| Watch: The video for “Probable Cause”

||| Live: Vinyl Williams plays the Lodge Room tonight (Tickets). He also performs Saturday night at AWE Bar in Yucca Valley.

||| Previously: “Exopalace”

||| Stream: “Cosmopolis” in its entirety