Every year it seems, Chris Ramsing and his ramshackle bunch of aural provocateurs, otherwise known as PsychoYogi release new music, and this year is no different. The rich well of creativity Chris draws from shows no sign of drying up anytime soon either, as the latest release World of Danger proves.
If you are familiar with PsychoYogi, you kind of know what to expect. For everyone else, it’s very hard to describe adequately what they sound like, because it’s really unlike anyone else. If you enjoy rather idiosyncratic musical endeavours, such as might be found with bands like Cardiacs, Lost Crowns, A Formal Horse or even Primus, then there’s a very good chance PsychoYogi could be your next great discovery. Chris Ramsing has a very distinctive vocal delivery, halfway between singing and speaking, and the lyrics are thought provoking barbs aimed at modern life, injustice, stupidity, inequality, and economic and social breakdown. That might not sound like a lot of fun, but Chris has a sense of humour too, and even the more serious themes are wrapped in the unique PsychoYogi musical cloak of unusual melodies, strange lilting rhythms and delightful instrumentation. The melody is very often carried by the trombone (Tim Smart) and violin (Ben Woodbine-Craft), which complement each other so well, while the inventive rhythm section excels at underpinning these compositions with style, never content to play the obvious. Justin Casey truly plays his drum kit as an instrument every bit as important as the guitar, and enhances the feel of each song with his expressive rhythms. Izzy Stylish is every bit as inventive, playing tricky time signatures with ease, and a wonderful fluidity. Chris Ramsing’s guitar style is individual, but not flamboyant, so can sometimes recede into the background as one is drawn to the rest of the band, but when you focus in, the guitar is always there, adding texture, playing unexpected chords, and occasionally adventurous solo runs of great dexterity and imagination.
World of Danger opens with the title track, and one of the best cuts on the album. For Chris, as with many of us I suspect, our technological world presents challenges.
I forgot the password, feeling like a tech nerd.
Brain fail, don’t wanna be in tech jail,
Feeling like a stranger, in a world of danger.”
Musically, it is one of the more elaborate compositions, with a slightly ominous feeling of paranoia, and a complex construction, yet despite this, it is accessible and entertaining. Chris plays a typically off the wall guitar solo, later echoed by a similarly off kilter trombone solo. After a false ending, further guitar exploration nudges the piece to its conclusion.
Sometimes follows, and is a rather more personal song with a waltzing rhythm as Ramsing seems to reminisce on an old friendship. It’s a touching interlude, leading to a bit of a rant on Blue in Rap City. It’s a jazz/blues piece as one might reasonably expect from the amusing title, and Ramsing bemoans the predictability of pop music culture.
They took away the melody and now I’m bored.
They took away the music, it’s a tragedy,
And that is why I’m feeling blue in rap city.”
It’s funny, but in a way sums up why a band like PsychoYogi are so important. They aren’t the sort of band you’re going to hear on the radio, unless you listen to quite esoteric programs, simply because they aren’t, and never will be mainstream. It would be nice though if they could be embraced by a few more music fans who might never hear them.
Moron is a reworking of a song from 2020’s Dangerous Devices, and sounds quite different five years on.
Ignorance is bliss, grandma was proof.
She overdosed on tea, it was the only thing to do.
But I always laughed when she said ‘are you a moron too?’”
Ramsing’s humour finds further expression on Do That Dance, as any introverts among us will readily identify.
Parties always bring me down, can I go home?”
Serious subjects are also tackled though, such as arms sales to oppressive regimes (Mutual Agenda), ecological disaster and human apathy (For The Future), and the haunting final song Wonder Why.
Why children starve to please the rich.
I’m sure you all agree, and what will be will be.”
There’s a resignation it seems, and yet In Sight of the Goal which precedes it is far more hopeful. Through it all though, the music weaves a rich tapestry of lilting rhythms, a folky simplicity despite the complex melodies, and an almost punk aesthetic which is captivating, creative and delights with each successive listen. World of Danger is another triumph for PsychoYogi, and I earnestly hope it gets the attention it deserves.
TRACK LISTING
01. World of Danger (5:55)
02. Sometimes (2:48)
03. Blue In Rap City (3:04)
04. Mutual Agenda (2:58)
05. The Strangest Places (3:00)
06. Do That Dance (2:26)
07. Moron (2:55)
08. For The Future (4:29)
09. In Sight of the Goal (4:15)
10. Wonder Why (3:52)
Total Time – 35:42
MUSICIANS
Chris Ramsing – Guitar, Vocals
Izzy Stylish – Bass
Tim Smart – Trombone
Ben Woodbine-Craft – Violin
Justin Casey – Drums
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Independent
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 28th November 2025
