Clear Moon

The first release in a projected two-volume set, Clear Moon was recorded in a "de-sanctified" church. Its songs feature a solemn sadcore and/or ambient metal feel, like the milder strains of Dolorean with touches of Spacemen 3 and Boris cresting over the horizon. "The Place I Live" creates a Sigur Rós–like slow burst of sound that features both plaintive vocals and modulated harmonies with a rhythm track that stutters in the background. Mount Eerie's Phil Elverum acts as both multi-instrumentalist and producer, playing his parts with a distinctive ear toward the end result. "(something)" is a brief interlude of porous textures that serves as the training ground for the ambitious "Lone Bell," where an imaginary film score takes shape underneath the haze. "House Shape" cranks up like the backing tracks of a Velvet Underground–influenced garage band before blurring into a subliminal, ambient shape-shifting dance track/tone poem. The juxtapositions are inspired. Just when you think you have a track figured out, it does something completely unexpected.