Opening with a warm ambient hum, "What With" sets the tone for Mist Giant‘s debut EP Human Tree and lays out the foundation for their pensive electronic indie-rock sound. Smooth ambient synths, subdued rhythms, and a peppering of wistful guitar melodies bring to life Mist Giant’s brand of drone-y pop. Borrowing some of the musical practices of trip hop, Mist Giant has created an exciting and austere soundscape with this EP.
Minimal and well-crafted, Human Tree is a wonderful surprise from a band that seemed to pop up on my radar out of nowhere. With the chugging ambiance of “What With,” the eerie sounds and electronic drums of “Empty Archipeg,” and the pulsing heartbeat rhythm of the “Some Ophelia,” Mist Giant have delivered an intricate and thoroughly intelligent set of songs. Human Tree comes highly recommended for anyone in search of a brief respite from the Bay Area’s great garage revival.
-Ada Lann
Human Tree is currently available for download here with the promise of a vinyl pressing this May.