Comprised of Warren Kroll, best known for his work in Forrest and Dorosoto and Steven Lutes, best known for his work in Mall Security and Kontyx, the duo of High Tides was begun as a sort of offshoot to their acid-electro collaboration, The Red Falcon Projects. And reportedly, High Tides was directly inspired by yacht rock (I don’t remember people calling it that in the 80s but hey, whatever), Southern California shore daydreams and a desire to put their own spin on the genres begun and perfected by bands such as Boards of Canada, Freescha and others. 

Black Moth Super Rainbow’s TOBACCO not only encouraged the duo of Knoll and Lutes to further develop their sound, he also commissioned several well-received remixes while the duo was busily writing original material. Their much-anticipated full-length, self-titled debut is slated for release at the end of the month through TOBACCO’s Rad Cult Records, and the album features six original songs and four reworked and re-imagined version of TOBACCO/Black Moth Super Rainbow tracks. The album’s first single of original material, “Coastal Cruise ‘86,” consists of subtle layers of breezily, atmospheric synths, paired with twinkling synths, ominously swirling (and subtly abrasive) electronics and a persistent and propulsive drum beat that evokes sailing on a yacht with the sea breeze hitting your skin – but just under the surface something isn’t quite right. Maybe the coke has you paranoid but it’s unshakeable and unsettling.