Mountains creates a sound that feels less like a performance and more like a natural phenomenon. It is deeply rooted in the pastoral, using acoustic guitars and organic instrumentation as the skeleton for vast, shimmering electronic landscapes. The music breathes with a slow, rhythmic pulse that mimics the cycles of the natural world, avoiding the coldness often associated with digital ambient music in favor of something warm, wooden, and tactile.
What truly sets them apart is the seamless integration of field recordings and live improvisation. You can hear the physical space in their recordings: the creak of a chair, the distant chirp of insects, or the rustle of leaves. These elements aren't just background noise; they are woven into the harmonic structure of the songs, creating a 'hyper-real' version of folk music where the instruments and the environment are indistinguishable from one another.
Start with 'Choral' for a masterclass in how to build a world out of a single guitar loop. It is an album that rewards deep, patient listening, revealing new layers of shimmering detail with every spin. If you find yourself needing to disappear into a landscape of sound without leaving your room, this is the gateway.
Mountains are an American drone band, originally from Chicago but now based in New York. Formed by school friends Brendon Anderegg and Koen Holtkamp, the band's first two albums appeared on their own label, Apestaartje, with subsequent releases being made on the Thrill Jockey label.
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