This Friday, June 27, marks the release of Lorquin’s Admiral‘s self-titled debut (review here) on Argonauta Records. It is not an album that makes you struggle to find the appeal. Sharp, thoughtful songwriting. Sweet desert melodies. Fuzz and groove coupled with mood and expression. The combination of elements is Dawn Brown (The Fizz Fuzz, etc.) and Dandy Brown (who this week is fresh off playing Hellfest as part of Hermano) working on vocals together throughout varied arrangements, swapping lead spots, duets, etc., with Marlon King and Nick Hannon of UK progressive heavy rockers Sons of Alpha Centauri building up the instrumental push behind them, tied together with drums by Steve Earle (Hermano, etc.). Plus the mighty Dave Angstrom (Hermano, Luna Sol, etc.) and Country Mark Engel (Hermano, The Fizz Fuzz, etc.) winding threads on lead guitar.

The collaboration between players in California, wherever, and the UK is rooted in Yawning Sons, which for my money remains some of the best desert psychedelia ever produced, and so Lorquin’s Admiral are of immediate interest. Accordingly, when I had the chance to review it earlier in the year, I jumped. It was summer vibes for February, but at that point in the year you take the warmth where you can get it and the nine-song/34-minute Lorquin’s Admiral has that whether it’s the chunkier riff of “Could Have Been Forever” or a swinger like “These Lovely Things.” In hindsight, now that we’re at the week of release, I’m not sure a review four months in advance — in my partial defense, the release date hadn’t been announced — is just kind of silly, but sometimes I have to take the opportunities I’m given because I don’t know if I’ll get the chance again to talk about a thing.

I’m not going to sit here and review Lorquin’s Admiral again. I stand by everything I said about the record and if you’re desperate to read the full thing as I expect absolutely no one to be, it’s linked above. What I’m gonna do instead is be with the album for a while. Put it on and just appreciate that warmth, and the spirit of the songs that doesn’t want to be anything other than what it is. There’s exploration happening here, in terms of the collaboration, but the songs establish trust almost immediately and the band just carry you front-to-back if you let them. Maybe it’s worth trying to let go for a few minutes. Nothing is universal, but the mellow-heavy-but-still-moves balance Lorquin’s Admiral strike is a pursuit that one hopes continues, and the reason why is the record itself. The pudding of proof, as it were.

Ultimately, if you haven’t already pushed play on the YouTube embed below, that’s where it’s at. You can hear the record in full for yourself and see how it hits you. The only real advice I have going in is take a breath first and let it come on slow and unfold a bit. Nothing wrong with diving in, but if you go too fast you’ll get ahead of where they’re meeting you. Relax if you can. I know that’s easier said than done sometimes.

Either way, please enjoy. There’s videos down below too, PR wire stuff. You know the deal. Here you go:

Lorquin’s Admiral, Lorquin’s Admiral album premiere

Building on the critically acclaimed writing partnership between Marlon King, Nick Hannon, and Dandy Brown (first established on the widely celebrated Yawning Sons album Sky Island), Lorquin’s Admiral encapsulates the essence of psychedelic rock while pushing the genre into exciting new territories. The band’s debut album highlights the stunning vocal interplay of husband-and-wife duo Dawn and Dandy Brown, and the commanding rhythms of celebrated drummer Steve Earle, creating an immersive sonic experience that is both heavy and hypnotic.

Adding to the album’s allure, guitar virtuosos David Angstrom (Hermano, Luna Sol) and Country Mark Engel lend their distinctive touch, enriching the record with lush, textured guitar landscapes. Angstrom’s contributions span seven tracks, while Engel’s masterful work graces two.

Tracklisting:
1. My Blue Wife
2. Inexplicable Things
3. Could Have Been Forever
4. Black Water
5. My Blue Husband
6. Aren’t We
7. Burn and Heal
8. These Lovely Things
9. To Temptation

Produced by Dandy Brown & Sons of Alpha Centauri
Engineered & Mixed by Dan Lucas
Mastered by John McBain

Recorded at The Joplin House, Kent, UK
Additional Recording at:
Sierra Sounds, Arvada, Colorado
Brown’s Barn, Santa Rosa, California
MK Studios, Maidstone, Kent

Lorquin’s Admiral, “Aren’t We” official video

Lorquin’s Admiral, “Inexplicable Things” official video

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Tags: Argonauta Records, California, Lorquin's Admiral, Lorquin’s Admiral Self-titled, self-titled

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 at 6:11 am and is filed under audiObelisk, Whathaveyou. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.