Gum “Blue Gum Way” Review
Written by Beau Croxton
GUM by Kristofski
GUM’s seventh LP Blue Gum Way is a record of psychedelic metamorphosis— it immerses the listener in an ever-shifting atmospheric build and delivers fantastic conclusions.
GUM (aka Jay Watson also of Pond & Tame Impala) has arrived at his 7th studio album, Blue Gum Way, via pdoom records. This self-produced record follows the release of the 2023’s Saturnia and more recently his 2024 collaboration with King Gizzard’s Ambrose Kenny-Smith on the fantastic album Ill Times.
Jay’s new record is a bit of contrast to what he’s been up to with Pond or Ambrose recently; Blue Gum Way is a record from Watson that leans into harmonic density and atmospheric build. It’s a hypnotic and confident record that allows the listeners to immerse themselves in the music a bit before the songs reveal their final form. Watson incorporates an ever so slight jazz touch to his trademark psychedelic dream-pop/rock, and even then, it’s also one of his most cohesive albums. The songwriting tends to do the talking more than any sharp left turns, and always impressive is his musical direction and excellent playing of nearly all the instruments.
“Man Alive” really aims for the stars by setting an epic tone to open the record– Watson focuses on restraint and atmosphere to build dynamics. The tune really hits its stride when it finally releases all of its reserved drama and tension into a soulful bridge and explosive outro, complete with the squealing fuzz guitars.
“Phosphene Scream” is a groovy cut thatstarts the party— it’s centered around speedy groovy drums and scuzzy bass. (The track also shares the name of a reverb/delay pedal made by Death By Audio). There’s some strange sub octave vocals that focus on a refrain more than taking the centerstage– the trippy instrumental steals the show, with weeping strings and twinkling keys.
“Expanding Blue” is a smooth highlight that finds Watson at his laid-back best. There's a really beautiful and psychedelic metamorphosis of guitars in its last minute, serving as a serene standout moment, a gorgeous outro and an epic transition all at once.
“In Life” comes into frame with a verby 80s snare sound, distorted guitars and fretless bass. The track eventually finds a repetitive and calm patch that misleads the listener, until shrieking feedback scorches through unexpectedly with ripping guitar jam complete with whirring synths. It’s a lightning bolt through the speakers as a cherry on top— and it’s expertly delivered.
“Man Ray Bay” is a beautiful highlight that leans into the most dreamy and lithe appeal of Jay’s solo work. The track is entrancing with lots of layers—it’s got a very ethereal and pretty treatment. It builds beautifully with angelic harmonies and graceful strings, until leading to an 80’s sounding outro with synths galore and incredible stacked vocal melodies— pure bliss.
“Celluloid” is a brilliant cut that displays the build of the album's tunes tenfold. It’s a scorching centerpiece, that charges ahead on psychedelic synthy rock, while retaining folky melodies. Jay is a champion of wonky, explosive psych rock guitar tones, and this track lets it rip. On “Celluloid” (...and also throughout the tracklist of Blue Gum Way) Watson chooses the most absolute opportune moments to decide to unleash the fuzz– it’s always thrilling.
“It Happens Almost Every Day” is very jazzy and orchestral, it paints Watson in a different light that recalls artists like Sven Wunder or El Michels Affair. It has incredible, uber-retro cinematic segments led by deep piano motifs and elegant strings. It's a grand moment with a rich aesthetic, and overall, it’s a truly great sound for Watson’s music in general- you could only hope he continues down this path.
“Outrider” is attention grabbing with killer grooves, R2D2 synth Bleeps, and stacked harmonies. It's a fun moment of psych-rock bliss to allow Watson to shred— it’s beaming with fantastic energy and great vocal layering.“New Equator” feels like GUM’s signature sound through and through, and it serves as a solid closer to wrap things up in a classic way.
All and all it, Blue Gum Way should be a very satisfying hit for any fans of Pond, GUM or fans of anything remotely Tame Impala-adjacent. All of Jay’s wicked sonics are here — scorching fuzz, dreamy synths, killer drum sounds and ethereal textures, and it's excitingly repurposed.
The most magical part of this record lies in the journey of each song, and especially where they end up, because they always evolve masterfully. Blue Gum Way really rewards the patient listener– If you let the tunes lead you astray, the pay off is always worth it. Whether it be the unexpected sonic daydream at the end of the “Expanding Blue” or the nuclear psych-fuzz guitar rock outs of “Celluloid” and “In Life”, Watson expertly delivers the satisfying release for his well built tension and drama. Ultimately the album works in ponderous mystery and build, and the eventual sum of each song’s parts makes for a pretty glorious whole.
On Blue Gum Way, Watson delivers what he’s known for, while slightly tweaking the formula with jazzy explorations and dialing up some deliciously fuzzy moments. The entire stretch from "Expanding Blue” to “Outrider” in particular, is stunning– there is plenty of the psychedelic fun that his fans might be hoping for. In fact, there are plenty of fresh sounds to be enjoyed when trekking down Blue Gum Way as well, so take the trip.
Occult Highlights: Celluloid, It Happens Almost Every Day, Man Ray Bay, Expanding Blue, Outrider, In Life
(… but we recommend you spin the whole thing and transcend on one too many weed GUMmies)