‘Before Now or After’ feels like a milestone. The long-awaited new album from Californian outfit Mono Sources, the record is intensively eclectic and expansive, unveiling an artistic vision that’s certainly nuanced and vibrant. You see, it’s not exactly easy to pack the album into a genre box. Simply, Mono Sources let their creative imagination loose, combining pop, indie and electronica in an alluring package that’s very meaningful. At times melancholic, at others mysterious, ‘Before Now or After’ is an unforgettable listening experience.
It sort of reminds me of the Stories album by PJ Harvey, although not by genre or sonic similarity: more from a lyrical and vibe standpoint. Perhaps it is the nostalgia behind it, or perhaps the veiled sense of doom interlaced throughout the whole record. Not a surprise, given the context around the writing process: “This album was really borne out of a response to the wild pandemic reality. We kept ourselves connected through these musical fragments, which ultimately took shape as an album.” – Mono Sources explain.
Yet, even through the most confusing and enigmatic era, a spark of hope manages to find its way into ‘Before Now or After’, celebrating the future and the infallibility of the passing of time. As outlined by the group: “The themes of time, memory, and living in the moment run throughout this album. It’s about the realization that the ‘now’ is fleeting, while the past and future continue to stretch infinitely.”
Mono Sources features head honchos and Long Beach staples Bixby (vocals, keys), Jason (keys), complemented by Justin Burrow (guitars, synths), and Denny Weston Jr. (drums, percussion).
Recommended! Discover ‘Before Now or After’ on Spotify:
