The album “Stand By, Stay Calm,” by Ursus Colossus, reflects the endlessness of the Arizona desert it was conceived in. This multidimensional 7 track album breaches on cultish styles of post-rock and experimental space-rock. Ursus Colossus keeps a consistent headstrong hypnotism with their melodies at the forefront, while relaying emotional undertones of capricious nostalgia in the back of your skull. Each track has the cathartic reverberation of purposeful plucks of guitar strings by Roddy Nikpour and committed drum rhythms by Austin Reeves. Commencing the album is the cerebral track dubbed “Letters to Years Later” which perfectly depicts the moody light-headedness that is delivered throughout the entirety of this discerning auditory statement. A beginning to an artistic adventure that lures the listener in rather than making an imposing declaration. Other brilliantly denominated tracks like, “I Only Speak in Accents and Monologues,” and “Eidolon” definitely brink the threshold of the audience’s ability of vigorous head-nodding. This graceful arc of imbricated tracks is a quintessential trademark of any great band. Without difficulty, they coax you in, tie you down, and play whatever torturous games they want with your eardrums. The cohesive and lush bass tones by Thomas Boss complete the trifecta of noteworthy guitar riffs and methodically punctuated drum patterns that hold the foundation for each encompassing aspect on the record. This trio really puts the reoccurring question in mind as to how this full sounding album was delivered by only three band members. As soon as “Stand By, Stay Calm” began, it somehow finds a way to release you of its emotional grasp by the manumission of the track “don’t come find me.” As the audio cuts out, you are left with the feeling that Ursus Colossus handed back the money you paid for your overpriced headphones by baptizing each speaker with the pungent instrumental tones that they were designed to ooze. By that, we as an audience, thank you.
