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stream The National/Menomena offshoot EL VY's debut album 'Return To The Moon'

by Andrew Sacher

EL VY

EL VY, the new collaborative duo of The National singer Matt Berninger and Menomena / Ramona Falls‘ Brent Knopf, release their debut album Return To The Moon today via 4AD. If you’ve been following along with the album’s rollout, then you’ve already heard five of the eleven songs and you know this thing is pretty diverse. There are some funky songs, some somber songs, some arty songs; really not one song sounds like any other, but not at the expense of this being a cohesive album. Some of it quite literally sounds like The National meets Menomena, and other parts don’t really sound like either of those bands. Whatever the song’s vibe is, it’s Matt’s distinct voice that makes this thing instantly familiar and likable. His lyrics are as personal as ever, and like he’s done before he loaded this thing with music references (Husker Du, The Smiths, Minutemen, The Beatles). It’s too good of an album to write off as a mere side project, and now you can hear it in full via Spotify below.

The band is also going on a tour, which includes a run with Wye Oak that hits NYC on 11/13 at Bowery Ballroom with Julien Baker and 11/14 at MHOW with Mina Tindle. Those are both sold out.

EL VY