Moonlit Sailor

Moonlit sailor is a four piece indie-postrock band from Borås, Sweden. the band started out as an indie rock band in late 2006 when the members were only 16-18 years old. the band had a new interesting indie rock sound, often described as melodic, emotional and powerfull. The members of moonlit sailor are the best of friends and met the first time when they started study in elementary school. at the age of 12, three of the members started to learn how to play and formed a band. a couple of years later the fourth member took place and they started to develop a new sound that eventually turned into a completely new band, known as moonlit sailor. In 2007 the band decided to go intrumental. in the creation of the music the band realized that the intrumental parts were always in focus. to go intrumental felt natural for the bands further development. Soon after the formation of moonlit sailor, the band self-released their very first demo entitled “moonlit sailor”. two years later in may 2008 the band released their first instrumental CD entitled “A Footprint Of Feelings”. the new instrumental songs had a new interesting sound but still you could hear it was moonlit sailor. the band became for many listeners worldwide known as a post-rock band with a unique sound based on strong melodies and dynamics mixed with emotional, captivating and powerfull soundscapes. In relation to the release of “A Footprint Of Feelings” the band hit the road and completed their first european tour, containing gigs in sweden, denmark, germany, czech republic, netherlands and belgium. The tour were booked and arranged all by themselves. The 17th of november 2009, moonlit sailor released their second album “So Close To Life” on one of the world’s most respected independent labels; Deep Elm Records. Moonlit Sailor is currently signed to Deep Elm Records and have also released records on record labels in Japan and China. Make sure to stay tuned for updates and tour dates etc. Thank you for supporting Moonlit Sailor! "Moonlit Sailor is my new best friend. Moonlit Sailor's instrumental post-rock album So Close to Life has many treasures on it, but none compare to the bliss of 'Hope.' The song is so gripping that I can guarantee you I'll still be listening to it in ten years. Moonlit Sailor's instrumental post-rock skews to the pretty side of the spectrum. They love clean guitar lines, soaring melodies, melodic bass work and acoustic guitar, which is unusual for the genre. They have much more in common with Unwed Sailor than they do with Mogwai. 'Hope' is the epitome of their sound. The tension-heavy intro, full of cymbal splashes and pensive piano flourishes, gives way to a solo acoustic guitar playing the beautiful main chord progression. Then, in an absolutely brilliant moment, the whole band gleefully crashes back in at full speed and intensity. My jaw dropped the first four or five times I heard it. The only way the song could be more gleeful is if someone shot off a confetti cannon at exactly the moment they start up and let the colors rain down as the band tears through the song. The band keeps playing through various iterations of the main melody, getting heavier and heavier as the song goes along. They keep building tension on top of tension, only letting a little bit of it go at each 'chorus.' This makes the final payoff much more gratifying. The final time around, the drums are pounding, the guitars are wailing away, and the piano is twinkling is an incredibly satisfying way. After all, they've nailed it: the whole thing sounds exactly like what I believe hope sounds like. Moonlit Sailor doesn't just bring the power on 'Hope.' They know how to set up a tune and build it slowly, as only one song here drops below the 5-minute mark. 'Landvetter' is a more pensive piece, but it retains an energy that doesn't let it get mired down in mope. 'Sunbeams' has a wonderful wide-eyed feel to it due to the simple yet powerful melody. '1994' falls between the glee of 'Sunbeams' and the thoughtfulness of 'Landvetter' to create an incredibly beautiful song that would not be out of place on a Sigur Ros record. The enormous synth moment at 2:30 of '1994' creates an ethereal, uplifting mood that simply reminds me of a higher plane. This album is an absolute must for all lovers of post-rock, especially those who like crescendos, tension and epic moments. Moonlit Sailor loves that stuff, and they give it to their listeners in spades. 'Hope,' '1994' and 'Landvetter' are simply some of the best tunes I've ever heard in the genre. Highly recommended." - Independent Clauses "Wow. This is...Wow! This album is damn near flawless. Hailing from Sweden, Moonlit Sailor bring you the "happier" side of instrumental rock with their album, "So Close To Life". Finding (and solidifying) their soon to be not-so-little niche in the genre, Moonlit Sailor opens up their first full-length with "Sunbeams". And to be completely honest, they suck you in with the first few chords, welcoming your with opens arms and warm hearts. If you've ever watched a movie that had a part where you knew everything was going to be all right and the darkness had passed, that's the feeling you'll get when you listen to this record. Perfect melodies effortlessly sail you on their wings of golden sound and yearn for you to acquiesce to their harmonies and emotion. A few times I even found myself humming my own melody over top of their already breath-taking songs. That's how I knew this album was amazing. It gets you to feel the music as well as wanting you to be a part of it. To create your own world inside of theirs. It's hands down one of the best instrumental CD's I've heard in a very long time. If you're a fan of instrumental rock or even if you just want a nice CD to lose yourself to, let it be this one. You won't regret it." StereoKiller "When music resonates deep within you, especially of the instrumental post-rock variety, repeat sonic adventures come whatever the mood. 'So Close To Life', Moonlit Sailor's second release, resonates deeply with each listen, so much so that I find myself closing my eyes often and soaking it all in. Preparing myself for reviewing post-rock usually takes more of a creative approach, but these guys from Sweden have made it easier. Playing it on the way home from a late night movie, I couldn't remember the song titles (I've enjoyed it multiple times). As the first song slowly began to wash over me, I literally was picturing a sunbeam breaking through the early morning clouds and adding more sunrays as the song built. This was purely a case of accurately interpreting the theme. 'Sunbeams' starts out with a positive vibrancy that bleeds right over into 'Hope'. Brilliant! The soundscape painted throughout has an orchestral, albeit electric, nuance that begs the listener to come and play in the lush fields they have created. I am so impressed by the stunning beauty of each individual composition (not going to call them songs here) that trying to differentiate between a crescendo and decrescendo within the framework of a given piece is a task more akin to a poet or wordsmith. Suffice it to say, Moonlit Sailor has taken post-rock to a captivating, beautiful level. Do yourself a big favor and get your hands on this. [10 / 10]" - The Canny Shark "Sweden's Moonlit Sailor, one of the highlights on the richly talented Deep Elm Records roster, seems determined not just to create music, but to create moods as well. The band, which released So Close To Life late last year, fills every track with emotion ­ the six strings of a guitar never held anyone so captivated before now. This is post-rock at its best ­ inspirational, yet accessible. There is plenty of substance to be found on So Close To Life. The tracks ebb and flow, creating a dynamic sonic canvas and a perfect launch pad for any journey ­ be it a quiet Sunday afternoon drive or a dash to the movies on a rainy Friday night. Moonlit Sailor captures atmospheres of intricate detail with their instrumental rock. Moonlit Sailor is recommended for fans of The Appleseed Cast, Explosions in the Sky and Sigur Ros." - Bloginity "Everything about MOONLIT SAILOR's "So Close To Life" is beauty; the album artwork seems to have been painted by the music itself as it's the perfect backdrop for songs like "Hope" and "Sunbeams", which have a natural elegance and picturesqueness to them. Maybe mother nature actually gave birth to "Fresh Snow", and Adam, Markus, Oscar and Joakim found it, deciding to pass it off as their own art? They call Boras, Sweden home, where "they often experience weeks without sunlight". Which begs the question: how on earth have they created an album so beautiful, and so pure that it sounds like sunlight in such an environment? They are very guitar-driven with he rest of the instruments providing solid support to allow the guitars to roam free, crafting intricate soundscapes that can grow and culminate before seamlessly drifting to a soft, ethereal lull. Perhaps the finest example of this is the pertinently named "A Week Without Sunlight", which features not only fine soaring guitar-work, but an acoustic bridge before rising to that sweeping crescendo. "So Close To Life" is undeniably assured for a debut, and utterly breathtaking. They are on a mission to perfect post-rock, and they have the potential to do just that. They combine the euphoric feeling Sigur Ros induce with all the dynamical awe of This Will Destroy You. "So Close To Life" enkindles a sort of excitement that will render you absolutely numb." - RockFreaks "Deep Elm continues to impress with the quality of its roster. All groups are carefully chosen and frankly, it's truly rare that a Deep Elm release is deemed disappointing. This album is no exception. Moonlit Sailor comes out of Sweden with their debut full length album So Close to Life. The band reinforces and perfects the post-rock genre. Everything is special on this album. The arpeggios swallow you whole ('Hope', 'Landvetter' and the exceptional 'Waiting For Nothing' which closes the CD) and the powerful crescendos are overwhelming ('New Zealand' and 'A Week Without Sunlight' which resembles the best of Sigur Ros). Simliar to Explosions In The Sky's head, the strength of Moonlit Sailor is composing melodies on a quasi-pop, post-rock structure. Imagine an instrumental version of Last Days Of April mixed with the softer side of Moving Mountains. Another strong point is incorporating piano into all the compositions, which gives a cinematic atmosphere and altogether makes each song even more poignant. It's difficult to listen to'Sunbeams' and the dark 'The Cheers On The Parade' or '1994' without being overwhelmed with emotion. Moonlit Sailor has managed to create an entirely new, truly unique dimension to the post-rock genre. Saturated with hope, the music stands on its own...there is no need for words. One thing is certain, being 'So Close to Life', has never felt so alive. Simply epic." - Alternativ News "About to enter an umpteenth period of depression, I came across a highly intriguing Swedish band that not only restored my faith in myself but in music as well. The highlighted band is Moonlit Sailor, a Boras, Sweden based indie group. They released their first album "A Footprint Of Feelings" in 2008 and their second "So Close To Life" one year later in 2009. "So Close To Life" adopts all of the common aesthetics of the post rock genre: soft/loud dynamics, wailing guitar melodies and a driving rhythm section are all there. But what sets Moonlit sailor apart from most of the other bands in the genre is the personality and emotion expressed throughout these nine mid-length tracks. Whether it's the piano accompaniment on Sunbeams, or the acoustic/indie rock flavoring of Hope, everything these guys create sounds inspired and incredibly upbeat. There are no droning passages, pointless interludes, or overtly long orchestral epics. The longest song here is seven minutes long, and even so, everything displayed is just well written and filled with heart. Guitar's are the primary emphasis of the album, but you can't even tell there are three because of how well they gel together. Mostly filled with swelling melodic notes and set at a low tempo, the album is routinely chill but there are some really driving moments on here. Personified by the soft/loud dynamics, minimally distorted chords enter the fold, more than once at that, along with a crashing wall of cymbals and aggressive drum fills. Synthesizers, piano, and acoustic guitar provide some dynamic flourishes when presenting itself for brief yet welcome appearances. These additions help keep the formula fresh and exciting. The rhythm section is as consistent as it's predecessors. The bass has a real nice tone, it's not too loud and not completely engulfed by overproduction either. All in all, a fine performance for the band especially considering the fact that each member is in their early twenties. Moonlit Sailor inject enough heart and soul (not to mention talent) through their music to make it stand out. The artwork perfectly captures the vibe of this album. The shades of light green, blue and yellow stunningly capture the same melancholic aspect throughout the album's fifty minute duration. I recommend this album to not only those who enjoy post-rock and instrumental music but also to metalheads who love bands like Alcest and Agalloch. You wont be disappointed." - Sputnik "In So Close to Life, Moonlit Sailor creates an organic album that captures seemingly ethereal sounds with delicate keyboard and melodic guitars. Lots of guitars. The music works well given the concepts of the album: nature, geography, and time, to name but a few. In the opening song, 'Sunbeams,' Moonlit Sailor introduces a lullaby-like melody and successfully escapes extreme corniness by creating a cathartic crescendo and ending with a poignant keyboard outro. Although 'Sunbeams' may be the album's most accessible song, 'Hope' truly differentiates the band with acoustic guitar overlaid by keyboard and electric guitar. The track slowly evolves into new tempos, recaptures old tempos, and constantly engages the listener during the band's musical saga of life - as read from the album's title. With these musical changes, the band aligns itself with high-caliber instrumental groups instead of the en vogue post-rock groups, but more passively and with more melancholia. 'Lavender' reaffirms this notion of high-caliber instrumentation by passing through several musical themes. In 'New Zealand', the Swedish quartet tries to capture the sound of 'New Zealand' with a repetitive yet melodic guitar and somnolent drumming that certainly engenders images of the North and South islands. Nevertheless, the song experiences its high and lows with its ruminative musical fallouts, high-hat clashing, and a captivating flurry of melody and crescendos. Similarly, 'Fresh Snow' offers an inventive musical approach to the listener, effectively diversifying the album's instrumental styles. As one listens to music, it's common to volley between feelings of having and not having heard music like this before. Moonlit Sailor's music operates in polarizing state of sounds, but such an outlook suggests that the band is experimenting and trying to mature its sound, which usually galvanizes the musical livelihood of any band. Moonlit Sailor places the best elements of post-rock at the forefront of its music while retaining space for musical experimentation as well. In a time where other bands abandon their fans by exploring inaccessible sounds and drones, Moonlit Sailor manages to preserve the sound that garnered it such a wide following while pushing the musical limits of instrumental rock. For music fans in search of euphoric instrumental album, So Close to Life is a great choice." - The Silent Ballet "Moonlit Sailor is one of my favourite scando-post rock bands since Jeniferever first arrived. There's something soothingly familiar about the new album from the Swedish boys (out on Deep Elm, a sure sign of quality) as the cyclical waves of chiming guitars and glocks act as a trademark across the album, the subtle variations and reprises throughout come off like a well planned orchestral maneuvere...lulling and roaring in equal measure and impacting the sheer emotional weight of the music over and over again. Instrumental rock is not particularly easy to pull off, but these nine tracks of sheer, lump in your throat, devastating beauty are more than enough to pull you in and cast you asunder over the waves of delayed guitars and booming reverb. Beautiful." - RockFreaks "For those who prefer their instrumental music glistening and euphoric, there's plenty to love about So Close To Life. The Swedish four-piece's polished arpeggios evoke their Deep Elm predecessors The Appleseed Cast and the skittering drum patterns of 'Landvetter' could be straight off an Explosions In The Sky record. Moonlit Sailor display a hugely impressive degree of melodic and compositional assurance. They may not change your life, but they will provide a suitably bombastic soundtrack. For Fans Of: The Appleseed Cast, Explosions In The Sky, Caspian." - RockSound UK "Suddenly busy-again Deep Elm Records has a winner in the new release from Sweden's post-rock, instrumental atmospherists Moonlit Sailor. Recommended if you like 90's emo without the whiny, ultra-thin male singer who inevitably curls himself into a ball on stage during each and every performance." - PastePunk "Moonlit Sailor are in possession of a wealth of post-rock potential. Too good!" - Absolute Punk "What Moonlight Sailor clearly does best is its overall album planning. Nice melodies, interesting rhythms, complicated drum lines, countermelodies and interesting harmonies. So Close to Life starts out extremely cheerily, almost obnoxiously so. From there it slowly becomes darker and more powerful, climaxing with the almost jarring accented chords of the aptly named "A Week without Sunlight." From there, the album draws back, although never arriving at the same level of brightness as the opening track, "Sunbeams." And while this could easily have been a perfectly simple path, Moonlight Sailor chooses the winding road, providing tracks like "Fresh Snow," which acts as a welcome reprive from the album's darkening. An interesting variety of instrumental approaches throughout the album provides a range of genuinely immersive, interesting post-rock experiences." - Plumbiferous "Moonlit Sailor isn't reinventing the post-rock genre. They are well on their way to perfection it"