Cooper Crain

“Stash,” the second album from BCMC — the Chicago guitar-and-keys duo of Bill MacKay and Cooper Crain — pulls a range of styles from their minimalist set-up. More excitable than 2023’s “Foreign Smokes,” the musicians are happy to explore dynamically within a song. This is a generous, joyous album, brimming with life, energy and a real love of music.

BCMC — Bill MacKay and Cooper Crain — return with “Tête-à-Tête”, the second single from their forthcoming Drag City album “Stash”, out June 26th. Where lead single “Kaleidosmoke” unfurled in patient, accumulative psychedelia, this one rotates skyward — Crain’s organ tearing through prog, gospel, psych and funk, MacKay’s twin guitars tracing intricate, Krautrock-leaning patterns. A new visualiser arrives alongside the single.

Bill MacKay and Cooper Crain have announced Stash, their second album as BCMC, due June 26th via Drag City. Lead single Kaleidosmoke is out now — a sprawling, nearly eight-minute psychedelic piece layering Brit-rock guitars over a patient, accumulative structure. Where their debut Foreign Smokes was built on improvisation, Stash finds the duo working with tighter, groove-based composition.

Take a bow Bill Mackay and Cooper Crain – BCMC’s Foreign Smokes is like one continual experimental, inquisitive journey, filled with an appealing freshness and dynamism – a strange and thrilling tonic.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to use the site you consent to their use. Close and Accept Use of Cookies on KLOF Mag