Lately, Canada seems incapable of producing anything but top-notch bands, and newcomers Kosmos are no exception. Their self titled debut covers a lot of musical ground while feeling familiar yet innovative. What makes them so interesting is not only the variety of instruments, but the variety of ways in which they utilize them. A 60s/70s style rock/jazz organ makes heavy appearance, giving some songs a jazzy or rock feel. At the same time, spacey synthesizer also makes a heavy appearance, lending many songs a psychedelic, Pink Floyd type of feel. Vocals are rare, but make both sung and spoken appearances. Finally, triumphant guitar riffs present in modern rock bands such as Muse are also a mainstay of Kosmos.

The result is a fresh sounding, fun album that shows Kosmos isn’t afraid to experiment with combining musical styles. Occasionally it almost seems as if Kosmos has taken this experimentation too far, with a few odd sounding ambient tracks dispersed throughout the album. Tracks like these seem downright boring when compared to the upbeat, hard rocking efforts that fill the rest of the album. Rest assured, however, that the majority of the album features music that’s as enjoyable as it is diverse.

What’s especially impressive is just how much Kosmos got right on its first album. Kosmos stands as an impressive release that manages to avoid the clichés that plague most instrumental bands. The incredible amount of musical energy present is itself something few bands manage to achieve, immediately setting Kosmos apart. One can’t help but wonder what Kosmos hoped to achieve with ambient tracks such as Yawa or Kosmos, tracks which lack energy and appeal. Don’t let these few minute-long gaps of empty sound intimidate you, however, for Kosmos is by and large one of the most enjoyable instrumental rock listens in recent years.