Pro tip for this album: Headphones are a must. And not that crappy pair that came with your phone—I’m talking noise-cancelling, over-the-ear bad boys that will immerse you in the liquid smoke that is MOON WIZARD. Or you can just go bareback and crank up your home stereo and wake the whole damn neighborhood. They’ll probably thank you for it. But seriously, if you’re into Stoner or Doom or, better yet, Stoner Doom, “Sirens,” the latest full-length by MOON WIZARD, is going to be your new obsession.

MOON WIZARD has been hiding out in Salt Lake City where they formed in 2018. This is their third release, but they only just recently signed with Hammerheart Records, so you’re forgiven for not discovering them sooner. In fact, “Sirens” was actually released in January 2024 independently. Hammerheart wisely opted to re-release it in January 2025 to give a fresh run.

If you give a listen to the band’s previous albums, you’ll notice a lot of growth from 2019 to now. Sure, their early stuff is more visceral and guitar heavy and mean, but the songwriting is also not quite there. Maybe Sami taking over as full-time lead vocalist adds some finesse, or maybe it’s the band getting more comfortable with each other and growing tighter in their harmonies, or maybe it’s all of the above. Another pro tip: It’s always ‘all of the above.’

So what’s to like about this album? First, Aaron Brancheau (guitars) knows how to work a melody. He’s patient and steady and just soaks into the phrasings and the progressions like he’s looking for something in the corners and all the dark spaces. Second, the rhythm section of Joe Fiel (bass) and Ashton Nelson (drums) is as tight darkness on a moonless night. The time signatures and fills Ashton coaxes out of the skins are dazzling. Joe does both rhythm and melody on the bass, which is a nice touch, but I do have to say that I could have done with more bass in the mix. Just saying. And finally, Sami Wolf on vocals seals the deal. Ethereal, confident, and bluesy (I believe she hails from Chicago, so maybe it’s in her blood).  Reminds me of Sophie Day from early ALUNAH days or Harriet Bevan from BLACK MOTH but without the British accent.

Standout tracks are tough. I mean this whole album is just stunning and every track is stellar in its own way. The album bears repeating, a lot. No clunkers here. My favorites, which might change tomorrow and again the day after that, are: “Phantom.” Doom, doom, doom. And the lead guitar flourishes—just gorgeous, those licks. And Sami goes all wicked. Next is “Luminare” because it’s as haunting as yester life’s weeping ghost. But it’s also groovy and all desert. “Meteor” because it’s a hell of an intro to this album and the fills by Ashton are just all that. And then there’s “Mothership” which is also featured as the first video. Thematically, it reminds of Blue Oyster Cult songs where they sing about being taken away by extraterrestrials. And finally, “Magnolia” for its bluesy assault.

Altogether this album is like a great reveal. Listening to previous albums by MOON WIZARD you can see they put in the hours and effort to get here. I’d like to believe they have arrived. Hopefully we’ll be able to see them on tour soon.