Psychic Ills: Mantis (MP3)

The opening track from Psychic Ills' forthcoming full-length Mirror Eye (Jan 20, The Social Registry) conveys the quartet's principle that power isn't always a matter of force, as hypnotic subtlety packs a big punch. Winding its way through droning synths, heavy-headed hand-drums, and exotic guitar lines, all through a deep psychedelic haze, it's both disturbing and enchanting. And its only the first track in a long suite of mesmerizing, far-east-by-way-of-New York, electro-organic jams.

The album is out next week, but you can hear more from Mirror Eye at Psychic Ills' Myspace.