One of the most iconic desert rockers of them all, Brant Bjork has been shaking bits of the Mojave out of his boots for decades. Proudly released on his own Duna imprint, Once Upon A Time… showcases the Californian’s newly assembled partnership with Fatso Jetson’s Mario Lalli and Ryan Güt, drummer with Stöner. Friends for decades, they rock out with natural, rootsy flair and have nailed their sound at the first attempt. In a sense, songs like U.R. Free and Higher Lows deliver exactly as expected; laidback, groovy and gently shimmering in the desert sun, every riff is ankle-deep in hot sand, and everything Bjork sings will doubtless make perfect sense after a few spliffs. ‘Summer days / summertime / sweet breeze / so fine!’ he posits during the doom-tinged Sunshine Is Making Love To Your Mind. Fair point. ■■■■■■■
FOR FANS OF: Fu Manchu, Lowrider, Yawning Man