Other Lives in Bloomington, MN

Imagine if
Radiohead
had grown up amidst the backdrop of the vast, mercurial weather systems of Stillwater, Oklahoma instead of the banks of the Thames, and you've got a fairly good idea as to what to expect from the debut from
Other Lives
. Previously known as
Kunek
, who released one album under the moniker, 2006's
Flight of the Flynns
,
blend the moody chamber pop of
Coldplay
, the rural, gothic spookiness of
Sixteen Horsepower
, and wistful indie folk of
Fleet Foxes
into a heady brew of cinematic indie pop that's one part
Odessey and Oracle
and one part
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
. Brooding, pastoral, and hypnotic, standout tracks like "E Minor," "End of the Year," and "Paper Cities" feel like shadows, sneaking out through the speakers and struggling to take shape in the material world, resulting in a spooky, remarkably easy record to get lost in. ~ James Christopher Monger