Song of the Day: Mammút – “The Moon Will Never Turn On Me”

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “The Moon Will Never Turn On Me” by Mammút, from their brand new album, Kinder Versions, out now on Bella Union.

Mammút – “The Moon Will Never Turn On Me” (MP3)

Members of the avant-garde post-punk Icelandic band, Mammút, are no strangers to KEXP, as we have been busy drooling over them for several years now. Having previously swept the Icelandic Music Awards, they are certainly no strangers to their masses of adoring critics, either. They have been sharing their outstanding talent for over a decade, and with a new album freshly dropped, we have ample opportunity to further saturate ourselves in their raw, compelling creativity.

Our Song of the Day, “The Moon Will Never Turn On Me”, was the second single released from Mammút's now week-old album, Kinder Versions. The track instantly sails into a dark, cinematic atmosphere, which is contrasted by an uplifting message, as echoed through the mystifying vocals of Katrína Mogensen. The band describes the message as: “When you realize that everything must somehow be ok, that the world just continues spinning and we sometimes just have to sit back, let go and embrace every horrible thing that comes with it.”

With a soaring chorus that weaves between waves of ghostly cello (which greatly resemble slide guitar), the chilling inflections of Mogensen’s vocals ring with the same intensity as fellow Icelandic powerhouse, Björk. The exquisitely eerie weight of the track is carried largely by the use of cello, which the band mentions came to life by happenstance! Describing the evolution of the composition, they say: “We wrote it as a huge guitar anthem but when we brought it into the studio, we realized it was the only song that didn’t ask for guitars. So they were translated into cello by Júlía, Katrína’s sister.” In the stunning expansiveness that is “The Moon Will Never Turn On Me”, Mammút showcase their profound ability to summon a tornado of emotion just as brilliantly as ever.

Mammút will be in Seattle this fall for a special event -- stay tuned for more information on that. In the meantime, we can immerse ourselves in their brand new album, Kinder Versions. Check the Mammút Facebook page for updates on their whereabouts, and further your love for them by viewing the hypnotic video for their albums first single — “Breathe into Me“!