Slow Pulp redefine themselves on the wistful "Montana"

“Montana” is a Big Mood (yes, that expression has become quite played out) but listen, if you will, and tell us otherwise. Slow Pulp, an impressively polished band out of Chicago, create a world brimming with atmospherics, calm and collected but resisting any of the saccharine trappings the aforementioned “big mood” tag would suggest.

Simply put, "Montana" is the perfect transitional autumn song and one that gives Slow Pulp a tonne of momentum as they approach the release of their debut record, Moveys. While their four prior releases - including most recent single "Falling Apart" - are all more than worth your time, “Montana” is surely the standout.

Much of that can be attributed to lead singer Emily Massey, whose hovering croon has the unique ability to give as much as it takes; you can hear it in the way the band falls back early on in "Montana", hushed and subdued, trusting Massey will cede control when needed. It is when she does recede that the slide guitar and harmonica - both played by friend of the band Willie Christianson - are able to wash the ambling track in a wistful haze.

This kind of comfort and control were an important part of the process for Massey, who was dealing with both mental and physical health issues during its creation. “This song is about moving beyond defining myself in terms of my mental health,” explains Massey of "Montana". “I’ve been working through this over the last couple of years and this song is a reflection of this process and where I am now.”