The unpredictable Mild High Club

Skiptracing is a whiff of clear ’60s air, breathed out by Mild High Club. Their style is groovy psychedelia, with an indie sound that is soulful yet silly. The title and opening track peals with the vibration of bells, reverb-infused vocals, and spacious guitars and keys, reminiscent of Sgt. Peppers.

The stoner jam in “Carry Me Back” is a trip to another dimension, as it carries you over the clouded rainbow in the sky with it’s teeter-tottering instrumentals — caution: its lofty synths, bouncing keys, and down-tuned guitars can melt one’s equilibrium.

Now, don’t get to thinking Skiptracing is just another psychedelic album of clichéd indie fluff. Standout track “Tessellation” feels downright gangster and original. The rhythmic break-beat drums and jagged guitar leads play along to a chorus of Christmas percussion. The album then takes a slight turn, heading into the lounge-y, heavenly “Head Out” and the earthy, sinister “Kokopelli.”

The collection isn’t perfect, as there are some distractions and hiccups on the 31-minute long-player, but unevenness is all part of Mild High Club’s allure. Filled with sounds of euphoria and dementia, Skiptracing is refreshingly unpredictable.

• Record: Skiptracing
• Artist: Mild High Club
• Label: Stones Throw
• Songs: (1) Skiptracing (2) Homage (3) Cary Me Back (4) Tesselation (5) Head Out (6) Kokopelli (7) Whodunit (8) Chasing My Tail (9) Ceiling Zero (10) Skiptracing (Reprise)