Mega Bog – Dolphine

A sumptuous trip of intergalactic pop exploration

Under the moniker Mega Bog, Erin Elizabeth Birgy has been releasing her unique brand of dreamy sci-fi pop ventures, and with Dolphine, she has produced a record of bountiful delight that seeps with unexpected twists and turns.

The record boundlessly travels across genres, blending 60s psych-folk with latin rhythms and flourishes of jazz-futurism, exuding a whimsical, wandering energy throughout. Think Joni Mitchell being invited by Stereolab to take a trip to a new galaxy, under Sun Ra’s cosmic guidance. Textures move seamlessly from distant, floating acoustic memories to flourishing outer-space ensembles, demanding further listens to fully appreciate the many subtle diversions.

It is her fifth release as Mega Bog and the first for label Paradise of Bachelors, creating an assured and honest outing that oozes with charm. Dolphine’s title refers to the myth that having evolved from sea creatures, some members of human kind decided to remain in the vast expanse of our oceans and explore these hidden depths instead. There is certainly a sense of escapism through the album, as if searching for a better world be it under the sea or in the stars above. Yet Birgy does not shy away from expressing an intimacy of emotion, tackling themes of grief, mourning and anger as well as reflecting on the social, political and environmental turmoil of this current epoch.

‘Diary of a Rose’ and ‘Fwee Again’ are particular favourites, with the former’s classy groove and the latter’s searching guitar melody and gut-wrenching vocal cry. Half way through the album, ‘Spit In the Eye of the Fire King’ arrives, a particularly heart breaking track written and performed by Ash Rickli, who tragically passed away during Dolphine’s materialisation. This loss of Birgy’s close friend informs an aura of sadness that permeates the album but there is still a sense of hope and celebration throughout, of blissful memories lasting eternal.

The album is available to purchase on Bandcamp in its various mediums. Information on tour dates can be found at www.paradiseofbachelors.com/mega-bog .