“The year 2020 turned what was once quintessential late-night stoner existentialism into a daily mantra for nearly everyone on this planet. What are we doing with our limited time in this life? What is our purpose? What should we be doing? For the past 25 years, MONO have explored themes such as the relationship between darkness and light; hope in the face of disaster; and the duality of birth and death. On their 12th full-length album, “Oath”, they ponder the time that makes up life, and how to make the most of that time.” The album has eleven songs, and I don’t think an album has spoken to me as personally as this one did.

 I believe the first three songs are tied together. “Us, Then” is s a barely audible entrance to the album, leaving more questions than answers, keeping with the theme. It flows gently into “Oath,” which hears the delicate melody continue. The simple six-note melody is as glorious and magnanimous as a mountain peak that spires into the clouds. The crescendo crashes with a plethora of cymbals, in the same manner than heavy rain can cleanse, seguing into “Then, Us,” which continues to carry the melody. “Run On” has some time to develop, working together gentle guitar chords with a heavy electronic beat. As it continues, I get the feeling that I am driving fast, running away from something, but every time I look in the mirror, it is gaining on me, and I realize there is no absolution.

 “Reflection” slows and gives the listener time to pause, and consider. How do we make the best use of our time, when many of us are slave to work, and sleep? Sure, you get a weekend sandwiched between all of this, but most weekends, I am too tired to really enjoy anything, save for a few hours of peace. Rise and repeat…rinse and repeat, and in my case, I woke up to being 55 today. I should feel upset, but I don’t really feel much of anything anymore, except for always being tired. “Hear the Wind Sing” stirs me, however, with its positive melody, and burning passion. It serves as reminder for me that simple things in life can bring you joy, like the chirps of a songbird, a good meal, a nighttime conversation with a loved one, or a cool breeze on a warm day’s walk. “Hourglass” for me reflects the type of person who intentionally kills time for its own sake. When you stare into the hourglass fading with sand, what do you see?

 “Moonlight Drawing” is like an activity that you can do that is all your own. Many creative people seem to be drawn to late nights, when they can be by themselves, and just escape into the illustration. For me, that magical time is in early in the morning, when I am the only one awake. I gather my thoughts, and create a plan for the day. Many of the tones here are positive, reflecting the peace that one must feel when they have successfully captured the essence of something on paper. “Holy Winter” is a piano led song, with gentle melodies. For me, the allure of winter is about the color of the show. White represents purity, freshness, and brightness, and the first snow of the year is always a wonder to me. Somehow, you can almost smell it.

 “We All Shine On” is for me what happened when the pandemic was over. Starting slow, and moving backwards at times, you just have to keep pushing. The way the music swells reminds me of a scene with a lone person trying to survive going through a fierce and relenting storm. The wind howls deafeningly, the rain pelts your flesh with sharp bites, but somehow, you still forge ahead. That is one thing that the virus didn’t count on…the infallible will of the human spirit. “Time Goes By” closes the album. This could be a statement on our propensity to forget the past, and not to learn from it. As more time passes, it becomes a fading memory. But the urgent nature of the music compels you to remember. The strain of the violin notes, the powerful and vivid drumming, the increasing sonority of the riff, all combine into a dramatic crescendo, ending in tones of aspiration.  For me, what the album does best is dive deeply into the themes of paradoxes, serving as a reflection of the contradictions and complexities that many of us encounter in life. The songs weave together opposing elements, swells and contractions, creating a sound that mirrors the nature of our experiences, and explores the tension between hope and despair. In many ways, it captures the very essence of the human condition.