A familiar face in our publication, mUmbo have been showcasing their nuanced and alternative folk-rock imprint over a series of enlightened singles, an endeavour that manages to attract a sizeable amount of industry attention. ‘Red Ballons’ is the group’s latest effort, a poignant and nostalgic dive into shimmering guitars, slow-paced drum grooves and ethereal female vocals. Staying away from strong distortion and intense walls of sounds, ‘Red Ballons’ is certainly one of mUmbo’s softest offerings to date, and frankly, it suits the project very much.
Clocking in at just under five minutes in length, the single deserves to be enjoyed without rushing. The melodious and friendly sonic outlook will gently cull the listeners with charming authority, taking them into shoegaze and new wave territories, at least partially. In fact, ‘Red Balloons’ reminds us of Cocteau Twin, among others – a sign that mUmbo is certainly an eclectic band.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the track, they explain: “The song is about holding onto hope and optimism (red balloons) in the face of frequent struggle and discouragement, which is so often the artistic life.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Red Balloons’ on Spotify and Youtube:
