Moons

Released in July 2020, Moons represents a particularly intimate and experimental moment in Marissa Nadler's discography. Arriving during a period of global isolation, the EP leans heavily into the 'bedroom production' aesthetic, stripping away the more polished gothic-Americana arrangements of her full-length studio albums in favor of raw, atmospheric sketches. The five tracks are notably brief, with three of them clocking in at under two minutes, giving the project the feel of a private journal or a series of sonic polaroids. Sonically, it bridges the gap between her traditional folk songwriting and her interest in ambient drone, utilizing extreme reverb and subtle electronic processing to create a 'spectral' sound. While it maintains her mezzo-soprano 'siren' vocal style, the delivery here is more hushed and conversational. Critical reception for Nadler's work in this era often highlights her ability to maintain a consistent 'dream-folk' identity while slowly incorporating more experimental, lo-fi textures.