Reviews "I'm no fan-girl when it comes for Moonlit Sailor (yes I am), but I instantly goshed and O-M-G'd all over the shop. While we do have the more veteran post-rockers putting out newish material for us to turn to, it doesn't sound quite as refined, epic and passionate as Moonlit Sailor's newest release, We Come From Exploding Stars. Moonlit Sailor have almost always opted for a positive tone to their songs, which is a welcome change from a lot of moody post-rockers, and it's nice to see that they've stuck with this formula. However, it's even nicer to see that the band have grown and composed some genuinely striking moments of emotion. A combination of major key compositions with optimistic song-writing make for one grand album, which is exactly what you get with this new Moonlit Sailor effort. Moments where the instruments spark around the studio seemingly randomly and uneventfully always turn into this satisfying clash of music. For example, when a guitar plays a lonely little riff, to suddenly be accompanied by the bass, drums and another instrument, it all clicks and works so seamlessly. The first track on the album, Minutes From Somewhere Else, sticks out beautifully in it's gorgeous sounds, it's uplifting build-up and ultimately emotive climax that lets you know, you are listening to 'hope' being turned into a musical format by four Swedish gents. There are plenty of moments on here that are interesting and showcase, not a new direction, but how Moonlit Sailor is expanding and becoming a major contender to post-rock veterans like Explosions In The Sky. The song, Dollar Underwater is a magical experience of a song that really shows off how well Moonlit Sailor gels as a band. The drums are prominent, the bass is naughty and the guitars shine bright like a diamond. Also intro after the drum sequence at the start sounds inhuman in the best possible way; was it a wizard? The breakdown near the end is also extremely neat. Before that, we have a short number, Into The Fray, that's led by a synth and twinkly wee piano; give it a few seconds and the quiet, rest of a moment is taken over by a kaleidoscope of sound that is over before you can say, delay. With Moonlit Sailor you get something else. A very different type of post-rock that uplifts and soundtracks the more hopeful and graceful periods of everyday life. There are many moments in this album that I haven't mentioned, in fact, I don't think I've done the album much justice at all, but that's because, like a lot of music, this is something that you should experience first ear. Welcome to the soundtrack of all those moments in Spring and Summer that you wish you could remember forever..." - Music Gleaner "Deep Elm's recent name your own price bonanza has provided a welcome nudge to delve into the plethora of undiscovered but deserving acts that populate their dense catalogue. Looking beyond already venerated acts like The Appleseed Cast and Lights & Motion, the temptation to devour the discographies of alternative and post-rock unknowns at little cost is simply too great an opportunity to ignore. Burrowing no deeper than the front page however, instant gratification can be found in the form of Deep Elm's most recent release - We Come From Exploding Stars by Swedish four piece Moonlit Sailor. Now four albums into their career and having long since dropped the pretense of being an indie band, they've released their most consistently uplifting and satisfying album to date. Evidently feeling more comfortable than ever in their purely post-rock skin, We Come From Exploding Stars sees Moonlit Sailor confidently deliver a thick slab of twinkling build ups and lush climaxes, with particular emphasis on striking a delicate balance between the two. The climaxes on offer never outstay their welcome, nor do they take too long to arrive, and once they have enjoyed their stay they softly and seamlessly recede to rejoin the gorgeous equilibrium which is struck throughout, highlighting many brilliant and accessible choruses along the way. The pensive, graceful build up on opener Minutes From Somewhere Else gives way to rapid, intricate arpeggios and hi hat work, before eventually allowing the warm guitars to explode and take centre stage. This formula is repeated twice throughout the song; and the strong, recognizable chorus instantly forges familiarity with the listener, hinting that rather than deserting their indie sensibilities entirely, they've instead channelled them within a purely instrumental setting. Elsewhere, the buoyant reverb which dominates on Skydiver typifies Moonlit Sailor's ability to build the convivial atmospheres which made their early work such a joy - and it's a soundscape which reigns throughout. This joviality is evident in the bassline on Paris; which grabs onto the coattails of the lead guitar as it reaches for the sky, and in the playful, bright guitar work on both From Gemini To Lynx and Sworn To Secrecy. Most notably of all this beauty is evident on highlight Dollar Underwater. It builds rapidly with a surprising sense of urgency, plateauing and retreating only when the soaring lead guitar has taken the foreground and extended its reach as far as it can go. Moonlit Sailor focus their sound more on the gorgeous and the lush than the powerful or stirring, and they achieve it through warm reverberation, their tendency to toy with major arpeggios, and their ability to plant huge choruses in amongst the swirling positivity. So dive right in to what Deep Elm has to offer - merely scratching the surface has never been more rewarding." - Sputnik Music "If you were to imagine that Explosions in the Sky were to make a record heavily influenced by and the emo and indie pop scenes, We Come From Exploding Stars from Swedish post-rock band Moonlit Sailor would probably be that album. The best way to describe the quartet's fourth album, released through indie label Deep Elm, is 'post-rock with pop sensibilities and hooks.' Heavily syncopated, unique guitar melodies separate We Come From Exploding Stars from the vast majority of it's contemporaries. The melodies have a vocal quality that almost seem to have you making up your own words to go along with them. While it would be a stretch to call any of the songs 'danceable,' don't be surprised to find yourself being easily moved along and enjoying the rhythmic landscape that comes with and compliments the emo and pop influenced melodic elements on the album. A great example of this can be found the track From Gemini to Lynx. The palm muted guitar intro, utilizing plenty of syncopated delay, sounds like something The Edge could have written, before it opens up and the drums come in to really make you bob your head. Another example is Dollar Underwater, which starts off with a solo drum intro that can best be described as bouncy. Compared to their previous albums, Moonlit Sailor have come a long way. Whereas the group's first full length, A Footprint of Feelings, consisted of several songs that felt like statements half made and abruptly cut short, there is a definite conclusion to each song on the band's newest effort. The only possible exception is the album's closing track, A Century Under the Influence, which introduces new melodic material shortly before the end of the track, then seems to abruptly end on it. This feeling of inconclusiveness could be simply because if there is one thing Moonlit Sailor has become exceedingly proficient at, it is avoiding typical crescendo-core traps and cliches by writing both songs and albums with a gracious ebb and flow to them. So it's possible that I was just expecting one final triumphant passage before the album came to a close. Or perhaps I just didn't want the album to end. The one thing you will come away with from We Come From Exploding Stars is melody. Throughout their four full lengths the band have gained a well trained ear for writing hooks without the need for vocals. The progression, even noticeable from 2011's excellent Colors in Stereo, is something I hope to hear more of in the future from Moonlit Sailor. Because honestly, it's working for them, and it's working for me." - Post In The Name "Music is often the product of the environment it is bred in. Instrumental post-rock band Moonlit Sailor resides in Boras, Sweden where they often experience weeks without sunlight; Sweden is also known for stunning vistas and full seasons. This connection to nature and beauty has always been apparent in their past albums, as well as their side project U137. We Come From Exploding Stars is an emotionally overwhelming experience. The beauty, steadiness and craft put into each song makes this a landmark release for year, and will be a tough one to beat. With all the talent behind every aspect of the album, it's no surprise it sounds incredible. The dreamy guitars, thick yet clean bass and intricate percussion are clear and layered marvelously. With these types of albums, it is impossible to list any songs individually. My first listen to Moonlit Sailor's album was alone, eyes closed, on my couch with the stereo blaring. Emptying my mind of all the day's thoughts and stress, I let the music envelope me. It's amazing the visuals you can imagine when listening to music like this. We Came From Exploding Stars is a rich story of creation, beauty, love and death without one word muttered or sung. It is an astonishing accomplishment. Moonlit Sailor has given us another incredible sound-scape to digest. Highly Recommended. [5 / 5]" - PopSyndicate "I am a big fan of what Moonlit Sailor had created before, especially the brilliant album Colors In Stereo. Now they return with We Come From Exploding Stars. This is one of the better albums of the year so far, the best one in this genre. If you listen to it in one sitting, you are treated to a nice journey through some very exciting soundscapes. There are tempo variations and small style changes among the song but you never lose the feeling that you listen to a record by Moonlit Sailor. If 2013 belonged to Lights and Motion, then 2014 might very well be the year of Moonlit Sailor. It may have taken a little bit too long for them to return, but it was very worth it. This is one of the better albums of the year so far, the best one in this genre. I wonder what the likes of Last Lungs and Lights & Motion have up their sleeves to counter this. It will have to be something special to top this album. Highly recommended!" - Melodic "In our third round table review this year we've chosen Moonlit Sailor's 'We Come From Exploding Stars', released February 25th via Deep Elm Records as our featured album. This is the Swedish band's fourth release and first since 2011's 'Colors in Stereo'. It is also available on a 'Name Your Price' basis as Deep Elm has once again became trendsetters in the music world by being one of, if not the first, major label to offer their entire discography at this pricing point, a decision we all here at Postrockstar applaud. Moonlit Sailor have consistently been one of my go to bands when introducing new listeners to the world of Post-rock. They make the genre very accessible with their upbeat songs that aren't too drawn out nor are they too virtuoso or pretentious. With all due credit to the Swedish 4-piece, the majority of their catalog is incredibly easy to digest, fun to nod your head along with and occasionally pack that extra little bit of charm that can only be created by musicians who truly connect to and through their music. 'We Come From Exploding Stars' is yet another feather in the cap for the band and is an all around solid release from front to back. This is a Deep Elm release after all, so there isn't any filler to be expected on this album, just ten equally quality tracks that create an album that flows wonderfully and create a really fun, relaxed atmosphere. From Gemini to Lynxand Dollar Underwaterboth stand out as my favorite songs on the album and are both gleeful romps through familiar territory. I'll gladly look to their instrumental choruses as goldmines for satiating melodies. This is perfect as a next step past the gateway bands like Explosions In The Sky and early This Will Destroy You material. Moonlit Sailor seems to be more upbeat then the typical third wave crescendo-core of their peers. Peers that are the big names in third wave, which is exactly what Moonlit Sailor should be. Melodies are a tad more mysterious. Guitars don't quite attack so much as chime, chant, and sing. In fact, this is an excellent album for anyone into guitar. Tones are spot on. The lines are deceptively simplistic. I mean, hell, they even used the E-bow well. This collection of songs is just exceptionally well done. They are emotive but not overwrought. Narrative enough to build mountains of stories in ones mind. Albums this solid and effortless sounding don't just happen everyday. We're all the better for enjoying We Come From Exploding Stars. Make no mistake, this is a very good post-rock album from a talented band backed by the best label in the world. Sail on." - Postrockstar "On their stunning fourth album, the Swedish post-rock quartet combine Modest Mouse-like indie rock and the cinematic grandeur of Sigur Ros' brand of post-rock with soaring pop-leaning melodies for their most imaginative and evocative album yet. The dynamic standout track, 'Skydiver' teeters between a propulsive marching band rhythm with sliding guitar melodies and broad-stroking chords that give the feeling of free-falling and support the song's title. Another standout track 'Dollar Underwater' is highlighted by a cyclical, rumbling drum pattern and lush layers of shimmering guitars that recall former label mates, The Appleseed Cast." - Atlas And The Anchor "On their fourth release, Moonlit Sailor have delivered an epic and brilliant album. A hodgepodge of arpeggios, shifting drum beats and pleasing melodies, We Come From Exploding Stars is like hearing someone speak a language you've never learned, but in some subconscious way you understand the essence of what it is they are trying to tell you. In this way, post-rock is the universal language of music. The band has written these songs in a way that inspires you to venture off, explore new grounds and push your limits, both literally and metaphysically...just like the sailor on the album cover. Moonlit Sailor shows that the post-rock genre is still very much alive and well." - Gaffa "Moonlit Sailor, who hail from the same part northern Europe as does the fabulous Lights & Motion, embrace dazzling visions of instrumental post-rock and pop-rock on their fourth release We Come From Exploding Stars. Rich in melody, open spaces and big climaxes, the new album is intense, boundless and exciting. It really wouldn't be fair to mention just one song as albums such as this should be experienced in their entirety. Each song is akin to a step along the same path. However, From Gemini to Lynx is such a beautiful song that provides me warmth and gives me hope. The guitars arise like rays of the sun at then expand and encompass. It's simply enchanting. Another perfect album from Deep Elm." - Troublezine "Atmospheric and driving post-rock that is dramatic at times, but the definition of their work really comes in the ability to take a song from one movement to another in a coherent storyline devoid of lyrical accompaniment. As a whole We Come From Exploding Stars is a sea change. It's about, to grab it straight from the band, exploring new waters, meeting and administering new challenges. It's a process more driven by emotion than formula. On the record they explore all of these themes in a sweeping, crashing, comforting, and surprisingly energetic journey. Exploding Stars starts big, hitting on epic moments only 3 minutes into the record in the track 'Minutes from Somewhere Else,' but they aren't Explosions in the Sky-styled heavy drama. Instead they use that peak to stir up energy, transitioning into their watery journey that surfs up and down, returning to those early epic themes established in the first act. The record returns to similar ideas throughout. Though the tracks could also standalone nicely, the dramatic elements come through a careful exploration that returns and re-examines ideas rather than going in 10 different directions. As the record explores new domains, there are some shades of '80s synth-pop captured in 'From Gemini to Lynx' and later, in 'Dollar Underwater,' there is a strong underwater atmospheric presence. It's subdued and smothered, pulling its way upward from the struggle. The journey explores a lot of territory, ending with a louder and more driving rock pulling its way out of the exploratory structures. '4.15 AM' has hints of metallic guitars and big, loud moments, but it's no chugging chord or rollicking solo; it effectively crescendos while playing in familiar keys. It doesn't aim for the epileptic dramatic finish that certain post-rockers do, rather it ties the story together, climaxes, and wraps the story in a nice little epilogue. It's complete but not overstated, wandering yet concise." - Scene Point Blank "Post-rock does not have to be sad. With every release Moonlit Sailor clarifies their unique sound. On this fourth album, they transcend borders. With beautifully sketched melodies, expansive post-rock landscapes, varied elements of space-rock and even segments of math-rock, We Come From Exploding Stars is a dynamic, intense album steeped in emotion. Full of light and joy, the positive tone of the album sets it apart. The album invites us into a world full of dreams...where delicacy turns into a dynamism and energy meets indifference. Skydiver hovers so high that we see only clouds. Just let go of your imagination, fancy a look at the sky with the music of Moonlit Sailor in your ears and romanticize." - Uwolnij Muzyke (Poland) "Moonlit Sailor have been around the post-rock world for some time now and have actually created a nice little niche for themselves, but if you're asking me (and why wouldn't you?), they still aren't appreciated enough. There's obviously going to be comparisons to Explosions in the Sky, but Moonlit Sailor don't hit the huge crescendos quite as hard as EITS. Instead, their breed of post-rock is much more upbeat and positive; every song has an uplifting undercurrent to it. If your day is as dreary and rainy as it is here in Minnesota, there is no better album than this one to pull you out of the grayness of the day." - Decoy "The young Swedish quartet Moonlit Sailor has become one of the most interesting bands of today's post-rock scene. On their fourth album, We Come From Exploding Stars, they haven't abandoned the elegance that characterizes their previous recordings (on such tracks as 'Skydiver' and 'From Gemini to Lynx'), but this time they've also branched out with more turbulent parts and complex structures where drums and synths take center stage (on such tracks as 'Dollar Underwater' and 'The Golden Years'). Unpretentious and exquisite, catchy melodies, a level of freshness and controlled experimentation make Moonlit Sailor stand out from the pack." - Shook Down (Spain) "A reflective, hopeful dream of light...a reach from despair for the young and the restless. The Sailors do epic, instrumental, ambient, triumphant post-rock...a tight band that does what they do very well: putting space between swells and sinking boats." - Indepedent Clauses