Last year, Ty Segall released an album made up entirely of songs covering the great ’70s glam rocker T. Rex. On Emotional Mugger, the latest release from the prolific Segall, the ’70s are channeled again with a mix of glam, garage, heavy metal and a touch of funk. Squealer, the opening track, sets the table. Other highlights: The title track, Mandy Cream, Candy Sam, Breakfast Eggs.
Messy, unsettling and weird, Emotional Mugger took me a few listens to really appreciate. Once I was on board, the album moved to my heavy-rotation list where I think it will stay for some time.
Emotional Mugger strays a bit from the excellent 2014 psych-garage album Manipulator, while combining some of the trademark Segall twists. Fans of his stoner metal side project, Fuzz, should like it as well.
Segall plays two shows at Thalia Hall in March.
All the Young Punks 