We start with a mellow track by Los Angeles group Wand. With dreamy voices, heavy riffs, stoned melodies and a spacey guitar solo, this opener sets the tone for what’s to come — buckle up; it only builds up from here.

Hailing from Copenhagen, the sounds of this eclectic rock band evolve around hazy psychedelia, noise-rock and drone-based shoegaze. Their 2013 debut album Tremolo Eastern Salvation is worth an full listen. Close your eyes and get lost in the sound.

"The more shitty and cruel things people do in the name of God, the more Godless they clearly are,” explains The Dandy Warhols' lead singer Courtney Taylor.

We continue with a short but brilliant song by iconic group BJM. It’s taken from their 2014 +-EP release, and it lights up straight off. With rich acoustic, electric guitar textures soaked in reverb, and Newcombe’s ravaged vocals, this is a classic BJM song.

Drawing inspiration from the Velvet Underground, Pink Floyd, Neu and the Silver Apples, Wall of Death formed in 2010 and released their debut album Main Obsessions in 2012. The European post-psychedelic rock band alternates between various rhythms, bringing an element of surprise to their sounds that often take the listener on a little frenzy. This song features layered arrangements, high notes and a climbing guitar solo that hits me every single time.

This is a group for which genres are meaningless and boundaries invisible. Their deep-set ability to craft music intuitively and impulsively stems from a desire to avoid typical processes or generic structures, and since its conception, the band's music has mainly been created from live improvisation. Let yourself be transported by this hypnotic jam. Far-reaching travels for the soul.

La Planète Sauvage is a seminal work of psychedelic cinema. Towering blue-skinned figures, tiny humanoids in the midst of revolt, and drug-induced Tantric sex transport viewers to a truly magical setting. It won the Grand Prix at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival, and Goraguer’s lush soundtrack played a big part in its success.

Catchy melodies filled with nostalgia for post-punk and brit-pop  — that’s the promise of Swear I love you. Highly influenced by Brian Jonestown Massacre, the sounds of this Swiss band are expansive, heavy and ethereal. Their captivating tunes bring back the ghost of 80s romanticism with a pinch of enjoyable kitsch.

This English outfit has stood out for its use of archival and documentary samples to create concept albums tackling environmental, historical and political topics. Their 2013 album Every Valley is a moving exploration of community and memory throughout the rise and fall of the British Coal Industry. I’m completely obsessed with 'The Pit'. On this track, grounding drums beautifully complement tanging guitar notes, creating an expansive restless rhythm that somehow still feels reachable.

I find myself particularly drawn to long songs, and typically enjoy ones that hit the 10-minute mark. There is something transporting about these short musical journeys with extended instrumental passages, often unfolding in unpredictable ways. Foals need no introduction, and this song is brilliant. Click on the little Youtube icon below if you feel like pairing your listen with visuals.

Another movie score, more contemporary this time, from sultry French garage pop duo The Limiñanas (July 2020 / April 2021 / August 2021 mixtapes). Enjoy listening to this punchy, foot-tapping beat offset by airy vocals.

This group from Manchester was short-lived but influential enough to define the British guitar pop scene of the late 80s and early 90s. Hit the highway, blast this galvanizing song, head south, and watch that speed limit. Banging opening guitar riff!

Blending elements of indie rock and krautrock, this Stockholm band formed in 2011 when two stalwarts of the Swedish underground music scene bonded over a love of experimental rock. This song ties nicely with the fourth one on this mixtape. A chance encounter at a record store between them and a visiting Anton NewCombe led to NewCombe inviting them to his Berlin studio for a few days of jamming. The result was They Worshipped Cats, released on his A Records label in 2014.

As I’m writing this, I’m realizing that a couple of OST songs made it to this mixtape. Massive Attack wrote the score of the 2004 Luc Besson movie Danny The Dog. Mixed feelings about the album, but the fast-gunned directness of ‘The Dog Obeys’ definitely stood out of the pack.

This French band’s anthem for a jilted generation coming down from MDMA is a dark, poisonous and nihilist piece of work. Darkwave at its best.

Monomyth stands for 'thrilling instrumental soundscapes.' With an expressive sound that contains all the ingredients of rock & roll, the journey and the adventure are always center stage for this Dutch band. The rollercoaster ride in ‘LHC’ is a great testament to that. Progressive transcendence for the soul.

Kinematik is an instrumental rock band from Lebanon. Their sound ranges from raucous improvisational psychedelic rock to steady and mechanical electronic grooves, with frequent post-rock climaxes. As we’re nearing the end of this mixtape, the raging and unstoppable ‘Lalochezia’ (taken from their 2017 album Ala’) propels us to higher grounds.

We finish our ascent with a maddening song from MADMADMAD. Distinct dynamite sound and a tickling guitar that will leave you yearning for more.