Schlarb pushed Psychic Temple's pop influences further to the forefront with PT's second album, Psychic Temple II, which included guest appearances from
Sufjan Stevens, Sarah Negahdari of
Silversun Pickups, and progressive metal guitarist Paul Masvidal. Released in 2013, the album found
Schlarb and his ensemble covering classic tunes by
Brian Wilson,
Joe Jackson, and
Frank Zappa, as well as a handful of
Schlarb originals. In 2016,
Schlarb returned with the third and most ambitious Psychic Temple album, Psychic Temple III. Recorded at
Schlarb's own studio in California and at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, III was steeped in country and soul influences as well as pop and jazz. The set included performances by
Spooner Oldham, David Hood,
Avi Buffalo, and Dave Easley. Also appearing in 2016 were Psychic Temple Plays Music for Airports, featuring an interpretation of the groundbreaking
Brian Eno piece of the same name, and the 7" single Two Songs About Cults, which included a cover of
Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World." Both of these releases appeared on
Joyful Noise, which also issued Psychic Temple IV in 2017. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi