Press Play: Rujen

Rujen specializes in combining ‘70s psychedelia with modern instrumentation, creating a unique sound that’s all their own. In June, the Georgia-based rock group released their latest album, Velvet Dream, and it’s been getting some major attention in the alternative music scene. When you drop the needle on this record, you’re immediately transported to another world, another place in time.

Speaking of another place in time, the double music video for “Psychic Sister” and “Spider Silk” feels straight out of a time capsule (the whole time, I was thinking about how much it looked like the video for “Arnold Layne” from Pink Floyd or “Strawberry Fields Forever” by the Beatles.) “Psychic Sister” and “Spider Silk” deserve such a fantastic video, because they are definitely standout tracks on Velvet Dream. “Psychic Sister” is full of spacey synths and fun guitar riffs. It feels like sitting in the sun on a warm summer’s day. Then the transition to “Spider Silk” hits, and the groove becomes a lot more suspenseful. These two tracks are my favorites from the album, but there are lots of other great choices too. From the smooth jam “Heaven Was Knockin’” to the heavier “Push It”, Velvet Dream is a solid album from front to back.

Other great standout tracks from Rujen’s discography include the dynamic rock track “Mirage”, the acoustic ballad “Flicker”, and the spaced-out single “Tarot”.  Enjoyers of early ‘70s psychedelic rock groups like Pink Floyd and Klaatu will feel right at home listening to Rujen just as much as indie heads looking for the latest releases. I know I’m going to be on the lookout for more of Rujen in the future, and I highly encourage you to do the same.

Velvet Dream is out now on Broc Recordz and is available to stream on most platforms. Also, make some time to check out their previous album Feel It’s True. You can see more of what the band’s up to on their website.