Jacco Gardner

To call Jacco Gardner a daydreamer may not be as far fetched as he'd have you believe. Its meaning may refer to a fear of sleep, but with 'Hypnophobia' (out May 4th on Full Time Hobby), the brand new album from the baroque pop prince and Dutch producer / multi-instrumentalist, Gardner's all set to cast a majestic and vibrant psychedelic spell that will hypnotize listeners at the point dreams and reality meet. Since unveiling his 'Cabinet of Curiosities' in 2013 (released on the Trouble In Mind label), tastemakers and fans alike have been drawn deeper into Jacco Gardner's fantastical fairytale kingdom.

'Hypnophobia' captures a true sense of exploration, combining Gardner's new found love of travel with his continued passion for collecting and playing vintage instruments. The album features a Wurlitzer electric piano, waltzing alongside mellotrons, harpsichords, an Optigan, and an antique Steinway upright piano. It's a stunning exhibit of lush instrumental tracks as well as songs that boast lyrics worthy of any great pop number. Fusing fantasy with sublime twisted reality, 'Hypnophobia' was recorded in its entirety at Gardner's Shadow Studio oddly juxtaposed in the heart of an industrial estate located midst the village of Zwaag, 30 miles north of Amsterdam.

For most tradition enthusiasts, it'd be all too easy to rehash the past. But that's where Jacco Gardner's differences lie. Playing all instruments except for drums, 'Hypnophobia' brilliantly captures a unique artist and future-vintage aficionado operating at a far higher state of consciousness. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the excellent lead single, 'Find Yourself', which is streaming below and will be released as a 7" single on March 30th.

Gardner will tour the states with his bandmates, Jos Van Tol and Nic Niggebrugge, next month with stops at SXSW, Burgerama IV and Denton Music Festival, and be joined by Ultimate Painting for several dates.