Sis and the Lower Wisdom - Saints and Aliens (2026) Hi-Res

`Saints and Aliens` by Sis and the Lower Wisdom started as a series of solo homespun sonic experiments which developed more fully in collaboration with a larger group of LA-based musicians who included Dougie Stu, Brijean Murphy, Pope Flyne, Nicole McCabe, Chris Thalmann, Adam Starkopf, Kosta Galanopolous, Hamir Atwal and Arlo Perlstein. This prompted the birth of the collective name the Lower Wisdom. The songs were garnered from two years of singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jenny Gillespie Mason’s writing and recording processes. Taken from the Gnostic concept of divine wisdom falling from a higher sphere to the lower realms in order to experience itself in materiality, the name expresses how music can be a vessel for spirit to stumble, shimmer, and find form.

`Crocus Man` leads us gently into the album and it does feel like an awakening of sorts. Crocus flowers symbolise hope, renewal, and cheerfulness, heralding spring’s arrival after winter and this number does seem to characterise all that and more. Although I read that the track is a tribute to a treasured friend whose indomitable spirit and kindness left an indelible mark on the artist. There`s a similar vibe to `Big Bend (Oh Jai Ma)` but it`s maybe more profound as Oh Jai Ma is a Hindu phrase meaning “Victory to the Divine Mother” or “Praise to the Mother”. It is a powerful expression of reverence for the universal feminine energy, or Shakti, which is considered the creative and transformative force of the universe.

`Wolf Child` has a real melodic dreaminess about it with some shimmering keys which winds into a more jazz tinged elusive ambience as if you are undertaking a journey of sorts. Title track `Saints and Aliens` has a kind of New Age folk like quality with lyrics that were a little offbeat.

`Grailtime (a)` had a quite hypnotic percussive atmosphere to it whereas the wonderfully titled `Yoga of The Soul`s Release` had a soulful, jazzy, trippy, and slightly reggae-fied, Afrobeat air.

`Luce` which may equate to `The Light` has a fairly spiritual feel as it evolves while `Grailtime (b)` is a brief almost mantra or chant like offering.

The album closes out with `Yasholipsa` which is a Sanskrit term that means “the urge towards victory” or “the desire for fame/glory”. It evokes a delightful jazz tinged trancelike or dreamlike mood.

`Saints and Aliens` is a chilled, relaxing, calming, and comforting listen and leaves you with that inner sense of “all`s well with the world” or Elysium which is something to be encouraged in these difficult and uncertain times were living through.