Back in the ’80s, groups like R.E.M., The B-52’s, and Widespread Panic turned the quiet college town of Athens, Georgia into a hub of alternative music, a legacy that’s since continued with of Montreal, Drive-By Truckers, and Neutral Milk Hotel. That spirit of indie culture is still alive and well today, as made clear by groups like Monsoon. Shortly after dipping their toes in the water with their 2015 debut album Ride A’Rolla, the then-duo trickled into the mainstream, thanks to a song placement by Toyota during the 2016 Super Bowl. But just like the rapidly changing winds of a seasonal storm, Monsoon shied away just as quickly as they’d arrived.
Fast forward to last year. With the addition of bassist Roan O’Reilly, Monsoon reunited as a trio and began tracking their latest LP, Ghost Party. Ghost Party dropped in mid-late February, and Monsoon wraps up their two-month national tour next weekend. It won’t take much for Monsoon’s idiosyncrasies across music videos and original tunes to sweep you away into fandom, so plant your feet in the sand if you must when you check out one of Ghost Party‘s most sophisticated specters, “Don’t Move”.
–Jack Anderson
