It seems like 2026 has only just begun, but it’s already delighting us with pleasant musical surprises and new releases. The latest Harvey Rushmore & The Octopus’ album is no exception. “Mindsuckers” is the 4 th full-length album from this Bern/ Basil based quartet.
We invite you to dive headfirst into an incredible, experimental musical journey with an unpredictable ending. Why not predictable, you ask? Because we can’t guarantee where
listening to the “Mindsuckers” from Harvey Rushmore & The Octopus will take you.
I don’t know for sure, but it seems like the band is deliberately doing everything according to one principle: the weirder, the better. At first it’s great! Moreover, it’s catchy. In Addition to all that, it’s memorable. And now you can’t help but think about octopuses, bats, and mind suckers.
Harvey Rushmore & The Octopus is a quartet that dates back to 2003. Massimo Tondini (Vocals, Lead Guitar) studied at the same school with Jonathan Meyer (Bass, Backing Vocals). Now take a moment and try to remember how many bands you recognize with a similar career start? I’ll give you a hint – enough to understand that this is the beginning of a
strong friendship and a productive partnership. A few years later they were joined by Jakob Läser (Drums, Percussion, Beat Machine, Harp) and Stefan Cecere (Organ + Synths, Guitar,
Percussion, Live Visuals).
So here we have a fully formed line-up which, despite living in different cities of Switzerland and participating in other groups, is currently releasing its 4th full-length album!
The band has repeatedly stated that the diverse backgrounds and musical tastes of all members play a key role in their songwriting and the ability to maintain their creative fire and enthusiasm.
But let’s get back to the “Mindsuckers”. The Harvey Rushmore & The Octopus’ members themselves say that compared to previous albums «…new album “Mindsuckers” dives into darker, more ominous territory without losing the band’s signature kraut-infused psychedelic sound».
We can add that the album contains careful blending of retro aesthetics with modern minimalism that fuses them into a single, continuous flow where garage rock, 60s psychedelia, surf tonality, and Krautrock all reinforcing each other.
“Mindsuckers” consists of 9 songs that are designed for those who are willing to sink into its rhythm, where psychedelic motives become part of the appeal—it’s not about where the songs go, but how deeply they pull you in.
A hazy, hypnotic listen that feels equally suited for late-night headphone sessions or endless drives through nowhere. At some point, you’ll find yourself listening to the album for the
105th time, not understanding how it happened and completely losing track of time.
This is most likely to happen due to the fact that guitars often repeat simple motifs rather than progressing through complex chord changes. A single riff might cycle for minutes,
gradually shifting through tone, intensity, or layering. In this sense of slow evolution, you dissolve completely.
Harvey Rushmore & The Octopus
is touring Europe extensively this spring. You can catch them on the EAST Octopus Tour in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania.
Overall, the album feels like a slow, continuous drift – somewhere between a late-night drive, a half-remembered dream. It’s more about the cumulative effect: a deep, immersive atmosphere that unfolds the longer you stay inside it.
Tracklist:
1. Wet Rabbit
2. Hope
3. Bitterkraut
4. Painting Colours
5. Moon Reject
6. Cloud Driver
7. Acid River
8. Cosmic Waves
9. Mindsucker
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/harveyrushmoreandtheoctopus/
https://www.facebook.com/HarveyRushmoreAndTheOctopus/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFzv0SGAZSlTILsZLzyXpkQ
https://harveyrushmoreandtheoctopus.bandcamp.com/
Harvey Rushmore & the Octopus – Mindsucker (Official Video)
Harvey Rushmore & the Octopus – Hope
