Mt. Wolf – Aetherlight

Die Biographie der Londoner Band Mt. Wolf hätte recht kurz ausfallen können: Eine 2011 von Stevie McMinn, Al Mitchell, Sebastian Fox und Sängerin Kate Sproul als Quartett gegründete Band, die 2012 ihre erste EP Life Size Ghosts veröffentlichte, gefolgt von der Hypolight EP im Jahre 2013. Ende desselben Jahres löste sich die Band wegen 'kreativer Differenzen' auf.

Die vorliegende Vorstellung eines Albums verrät aber schon, dass in der Zwischenzeit so etwas wie ein 'Comeback' stattgefunden haben muss. Und tatsächlich: 2015 haben sich Stevie McMinn, Al Mitchell und Sebastian Fox wieder zusammen getan und veröffentlichten als Trio eine weitere EP namens Red. Und damit die Biographie nicht schon wieder abgeschlossen werden muss, erschien vor kurzem endlich Mt. Wolfs erstes Album Aetherlight.

At long last, the time has arrived, and Mt. Wolf has presented the gift for which thousands of people have been waiting. Aetherlight is more than anything that could have been envisioned by the London-based trio. Their EPs – in addition to Life Size Ghost include Hex, Red, and Hypolight – were hypnotic affairs. Aetherlight, though, transcends them all. Its blend of cinematic indie, electronic, and post-rock is unlike anything heard since Sigur Rós‘ Kveikur. It is ethereal yet euphoric, spellbinding and breathtaking, bold yet beautiful. If outer space was our place of worship, Mt. Wolf would be its choir. (revue)

Songs like ‘Bohemia’ & ‘The Electric’ are more ethereal than anything they’ve released before, striving for nothing less than epic. ‘Soteria’ & ‘Dorji’ showcase the band’s ability to produce something tender and considered, yet still create a sense of urgency. The folk roots are still present but are complimented by a deft, electronic touch that harks to Sigur Rós and Bon Iver at times. It feels natural, a groove that they’ve been working towards since day one, which they seem to have reached with a measured and assured confidence in what they’re trying to create. (londoninstereo)