After completing their first West Coast tour, Sarim Al-Rawi, Matt Lilly, and Paul Major returned to the studio to record a new Prison album. But they weren’t alone—an entire lineup of musicians joined in, leaving their mark.
“Downstate” (Drag City), the New York band’s second album, is bigger and more powerful than its predecessor. Horns push “Up in a Tree” forward, guitars jangle subtly in the background, and more layers keep adding up.
At its core, Prison sticks to the jam rock sound familiar from Major’s Endless Boogie—bluesy, hypnotic, and garage-driven. But here, the experimental edges are sharper. Major’s signature spoken-word delivery grows angrier when hunger strikes, and the late Sam Jayne steps in as the madman.
Less seamless in flow, yet deeply inspiring. “Travelling Lady (In Prison)” is mystical and lost, while “Eyes For Keys” delivers that quintessential Endless Boogie vibe. It’s an album that feels familiar, like something recorded among friends.
Prison – Downstate: Refined jam rock. – RIFL
