The first collaboration between GUM (Jay Watson) and Ambrose Kenny-Smith, titled Ill Times, is an enjoyable mix of bright electro-pop and distorted funky jams.
Watson had always used GUM as a way to directly release solo efforts outside of his work in Pond and touring with Tame Impala, while Kenny-Smith used the partnership as an outlet for work outside of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and The Murlocs. The Australians teamwork isn’t that far removed from any of those projects as the swaggering digital rock bounces with joy and purpose throughout.
Opening with the best song of the bunch, “Dud,” the group sets the stage with grooving pop rock augmented by saxophone and lyrics dealing with grief and loss. The cathartic electro-rock vibes hit the sweet spot here. Other high points are when the duo channels Funkadelic inspiration and weirdness with the title track and “Old Transistor Radio,” which both bounce along with a warped, funky, get-down vibe.
The pairing is less successful when they take on too much in a track. “Powertrippin’” starts with a headache-inducing noise before transitioning into an easy groove, while “Emu Rock” just feels bloated and odd. Better is when Watson and Kenny-Smith are simple and direct, such as on the harmonica-laced, disco grooving of “Resilience”.
The duo cosplay the Arctic Monkeys with the skittering dramas and dramatic orchestration of “Marionette” but it is really Marc Bolan and T-Rex who the pair are indebted to throughout. Glam swagger and infectious dance-able rock and roll are at the core of tunes like “Minor Setback” and especially “Fool For You”, which bangs with reverberating warbling, going over the top in grand fashion.
The first release from these Australian friends finds firm footing as GUM / Ambrose Kenny-Smith Ill Times pumps up the jams and rocks the house.
