10 Stoner Rock Bands You Need To Hear In 2016

7. Ume

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN14OsNJtAQ Austin, Texas's Ume are one of the most promising rock acts to emerge in the last five years. Their sound is one that veers in and out of different sub-genres of rock but handled with impressive ease, helping to create a style that sounds completely organic when it could easily sound messily, heavy-handed. They pull this feat off with great aplomb on their fantastic 2011 debut album Phantoms with highlights like the reminiscing, sugar rush 'Captive' or 'Run Wild' - where the group verge on indie rock while still staying in the confines of a smoke-filled cocoon, creating a hazy aura that envelops every sliver of the track. Their latest album release in 2014, the harder rocking Monuments sees the group delve further into their intricate rhythm side on tracks like the beautifully dreamy 'Chase It Down' or the reflective, brainstorming, barn burner 'Too Big World'. They demonstrate their ability to keep it simple too like on the brisk, cool 'Black Stone' - their most conventional stoner rock jam to date with its spacious drum hits, driving power riffs, and dreamlike vocal mysticism, is the group at their direct best. The outfit have perfected a sound of melodic beauty clashing with downtuned ugliness, helping them find an intoxicating middle-ground. This eclectic trait means Ume embody more than just stoner rock, ascending into other sound spheres at will. Check these guys out if you haven't already - they could be a real force to be reckoned with in the next five years if they continue to expand their sound in such fearless and interesting ways. Key Tracks: Burst, Run Wild, Black Stone, Too Big World, Revival