When many artists make spin-off bands or join forces with other musicians, often the result is merely a watered-down version of the original (Or a clash of egos – Ed.) .

But new musical venture Monsters of Folk exceeds expectations on all accounts. The amalgamation of My Morning Jacket‘s Jim James and Bright Eyes‘ Conor Oberst works beautifully to produce a fantastic album full of soothing, mellow guitars and addictive melodies, layered with lush vocals.

Staying true to their indie roots, the debut is released on Rough Trade and while the sound is similar to Bright Eyes, input from guitarist Jim James ensures that there are enough differences to keep even fairweather fans gagging for more, and extend to a wider audience.

Put simply, Monsters of Folk is a delicious aural buffet of delight. Stand-out tracks include the catchy sing-a-long “Say Please”, the downbeat but beautifully constructed “Ahead of the Curve” and the tempting, alluring album-opener “Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)”. And variety is certainly not lacking either :  the typically indie nature of “Whole Lotta Losin'”, folky strums of “The Right Place” and dreamy lull of “Slow Down Jo” take the listener on a rollercoaster ride through the different sounds and styles of this musically diverse experience.

After witnessing such a spectacular creation, the listener is left with only one question: why did this collaboration not happen years ago?

-Grace

Check their album at spotify.

Video – “The Right Place”