A track like this is so good that it almost doesn't matter if there's a full album behind it or not. "God Gets You Back", the new stand-alone single from Mogwai is a magnificent slice of symphonic rock, electronica, and proto-soundtrack music.
Produced and mixed by John Congleton at Chem19 Studios, with assistance from Paul Savage (The Delgados), this epic-length number is borderline hypnotic. Synth patterns and tinkling keys swirl around muted vocals, until more conventional instrumentation -- guitar, bass, drums -- enters and things take off. This is a number that contributor Stan Cierlitsky felt had a vibe like "Midnight City" by M83. I can hear that, but I can also hear the sort of driving hooks of material from Mogwai's seminal Young Team album so long ago.
The band's heading out on the road soon, with stops next year in the U.S., including April 7 at D.C.'s 930 Club. More details on all things Mogwai via the official website.
[Photo: Steve Gullick]