Sam Chown is best known as one half of glitchy neo-psychedelic rock duo Zorch, who left an impression on the dozen or so genres they dipped their toes into with their 2013 Sargent House debut, ZZOORRCCHH. While Zorch are no more,  Chown has streamlined the project’s energy through his solo career as Shmu.

Shmu’s shapeshifting, unpredictable fourth full-length, Vish, is the Austin, Texas-based musician’s version of a mixtape, a collaborative and frenetic effort featuring key contributions from close friends and musical peers.  

After sharpening his chops as the touring drummer for Vinyl Williams, Shmu’s knack for jagged, razor-sharp groove ensures the album thrives as a living, breathing, amorphous experience. It’s pulsing with swirling synths, vivid vocal melodies, and intricate, hard-hitting percussion, and expands on Shmu’s brand of psychedelic, genre-defying pop over 11 kaleidoscopic and triumphant tracks. 

In support of the album, out July 12 via Grind Select, we’re offering “Melting Down the Glass” as one of today’s XLR8R free downloads. Grab it now via the WeTransfer button below, or here for EU readers due to temporary GDPR restrictions.