Portland-based indie rock trio Menomena are back with their first new release in over a decade. Stream their surprise three-track EP, The Insulation, below.
The Insulation rotates vocalists on each of its three songs; Danny Seim sings the title track, Justin Harris takes the lead on “Copious,” and Brent Knopf is responsible for the vocals on “Caravan.” As Pitchfork points out, “The Insulation” and “Copious” were separately released in 2010 as B-sides for their album Mines, but were not on streaming until now.
The title track is immersive and sprawling, building in multiple lengthy instrumental breaks. “Copious” picks up the pace with a more playful rhythm, while “Caravan” closes things out with a reverberating, glittering atmosphere.
While Menomena never officially broke up, Knopf did leave the band in 2011 to focus on other efforts — including linking up with The National’s Bryan Devendorf for a project called Pfarmers — making The Insulation his first recording with the group since 2010’s Mines.
Prior to this EP, Menomena’s most recent release was “Toomer,” a single that dropped the year after their 2012 full-length album, Moms.
The Insulation Artwork:
The Insulation Tracklist:
01. The Insulation
02. Copious
03. Caravan