Photo by Jacob Consenstein

One of the most fascinating details about Crumb’s soundscape is how the New York City band blurs boundaries physical and spiritual between psychedelic plumes, indie rocks and rumblings, and a flow of avant jazz within each sonic capsule. Yet, at the core of their world building is a singular identity. “AMAMA”, the lead single and title track from the band’s new album, begins in the heart with an audio sample from a video sent to frontwoman Lila Ramani by her grandmother. From that moment on, the familial flickers inspiration throughout Ramani and Crumb’s music, with her voice transfiguring inside the listen’s sun-warped swirl of glitching electric sitar, synth keys, and ebbed basslines and rhythmic hypnotism. The touch of “AMAMA” leads them into romantic mysticism. “Shadows one the same / Wonder did you ever see my face? / Shied away the pain / But you coulda never known my name.” There are much greater powers at play here, and Crumb harness them all.

Directed by Abraham El Makawy

Crumb’s AMAMA will be released May 17th on Crumb Records.