From Bandcamp, “MILLION MOONS is an Instrumental Post-Rock trio whose rich, atmospheric soundscapes conjure feelings of melancholy and introspection.” Instrumental Rock is one of those categories that, as a consumer, and especially as a reviewer, you need to pay closer attention to, because the vocals are not there, and they make it easier for most people to connect with. Like one of the OGs of Instrumental music, Joe Satriani, you need to make a way for the music to come alive, using textures, crescendos, dynamism, and other emotive things, so that the listener can more easily connect with the music. Let’s take a listen to MILLION MOON’s album titled “I May Be Some Time,” which has seven songs.

“Terra Nova” leads off the album. Think of it as an introductory song to the album…it’s piano led, moody, and mysterious, like the celestial body in question. There is a build up with the addition of guitars and keys, and when the main riff hits, it’s a big blow, and the key changes. “Unchartered Waters” has a steady weighted presence that is still dark with mystery. Hum that melody line, because it is easy on the ears, and it gets stuck in your head. The heavy accents in the guitars keep the song on the structured side, and layers are added along the way, until a sweet pause at the half way mark. The waters calm, and all is peaceful, but the waves come again, and they are heavy with melody.

“Voice of the Wild” is the crown jewel on the album for me. It has a stiff, fierce opening, but gorgeous piano and lead guitar temper the aggression perfectly. Like the moon’s cycles, the ebb and flow of the song is a constant push and pull between the contentious monster and the fair maiden, and, like the moon, is riddled in secrecy. “Intruders in a Strange World” begins gently, but the tension in the air foreshadows a big punch that arrives after the half-way mark, perhaps signifying the confusion and frustration of being in that environment. The guitar work is outstanding, as is the backing ambiances the band uses in support.

The title track is another winner. It begins innocently, with beautiful piano notes and a lush, rich atmosphere. You can feel the build, and when that release of tension comes, it is cathartic, powerful, and satisfying. So much of the sing can be felt with only a few notes. “Endure, Overcome” features lead guitar notes in the beginning that are quite tense, and you can feel the winds stirring and the atmosphere shifting. The bass work is excellent in this song, and they hit you with a big punch of sound that is gloriously melodic. Towards the end, they accentuate the sound with a crescendo that will stir and move you like no other.

“Aurora” closes the album, and it is a mystical, romantic name that means "dawn" in Latin. Like the dawn, it comes to those who arise early with gentle waves in the sea, and a bright sun. Soak it in, because it’s something that not a lot of people get to see and experience. It expands and opens up, offering itself to the listener like a guiding hand, and although it makes me a bit sad, it also energizes me, and features a palate of colors that you have only dreamed of.  To summarize, the moon's phases represent the passage of time and cycles, and can symbolize the natural ebb and flow of life. Sometimes your life is difficult, and other times pleasant, and I’d like to think that the pleasant times outweigh the difficult ones. Through seven instrumental songs, you can experience this all of the natural flow of life and much more with a few listens to “I May Be Some Time” by MILLION MOONS.