AM Gold began as the name for Hudson Valley musician Aaron Magram’s eccentric, rock and prog-leaning home-recording project. In late 2022, it evolved into a power duo with drummer Dana Fasano. The pair first focused on adapting the older material, and once they had shaped their live identity, they moved into fresh studio work. Their self-titled 2024 album marked the new beginning, followed now by the new LP Bongs Not Bombs, recorded entirely by the duo and once again showcasing their eclectic, all-embracing approach to rock.
The album opens with the title track Bongs Not Bombs, which holds the listener in suspense for almost a full minute before unleashing a heavy riff reminiscent of early Queens of the Stone Age or even Kyuss. AM Gold proudly taps into every branch of rock, and in a moment when the genre is experiencing a renewed surge of energy, that riff immediately brought me back – if only for a second – to the sandy desert landscapes where stoner rock first flourished decades ago. I have a real weakness for these massive, dirty, full-bodied riffs, and the Sabbath-esque vocals paired with a Jefferson Airplane-style psychedelic message: “Bongs not bombs / Time to ignite / Mushroom cloud of smoke in your mind” fit perfectly. The track closes with a burst of energy and a short guitar solo, a terrific ending.
The contrast is all the more striking with the next track, Yr Kind, which begins with an almost indie-rock softness before breaking into a more traditional rock burner. The vocals once again lean toward a more modern, approachable rock tone, but the melody is a true earworm and more than carries its six-minute runtime – the longest track on the record. The experimental instrumental outro lands surprisingly powerfully. Noose partially swaps electric guitar for acoustic, bringing out a more folk-tinged side of the band, again deeply melodic and dusted with melancholy. How Does It Feel goes even further afield, introducing electronics and colorful vocal effects; I even caught a hint of Prince in its atmosphere. Halfway through, the track veers into a playful, almost ludicrous ZZ Top tribute that any fan of the legendary trio will appreciate.
The second half of the album continues the band’s stylistic variety with Influencer Influenza, a track with an easy, chilled-out vibe and synths that brush against modern synth-pop. The chorus shifts into a catchy rock swell, but thematically the song – true to its title – is a sharp satire of influencer culture, consumerism, and the hidden exploitation behind the glossy online façade.
The more personal Ad Nauseam rides on classic-rock foundations, and for me the following track, I’m Letting Go, stands as one of the album’s highlights, darker in tone. “I’m letting go by design / All I own was never mine / Funny thing about letting go,”sings Aaron Magram, underscored by a soaring guitar solo.
The instrumental Bombs Not Bongs brings back stoner-rock wildness, occasionally channeling the manic bursts of my beloved System of a Down. The album then closes on a similar wavelength with Eggs, a psychedelic anthem soaked in punk energy that showcases the duo’s instrumental proficiency and evokes the spirit of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.
AM Gold’s Bongs Not Bombs is a vibrant, genre-hopping rock record that blends stoner heaviness, indie warmth, experimental detours, and psychedelic punk energy. It’s adventurous, tightly played, and full of surprising twists – proof of a duo unafraid to explore every corner of the rock universe.
This album was discovered via Submit Hub
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