A melancholic melody forces you to listen attentively, a feeling that is reinforced when a deep, warm voice sings those first words: “The graduate chorales are rich with the scent of Maxwell House // They can grace you or debase you if you’re willing.” The tone is set: this must be a beautiful, intelligent and artistic record (spoiler alert: that is exactly what it turns out to be). We are talking about Moon Orchids, an ambitious indie folk outfit from Kalamazoo, Michigan, named after the decorative houseplant phalaenopsis amabilis, depicted on the cover of their self-titled debut full-length.

To be honest, I was not prepared for what songwriter Jacob Tyler Simons and his band cooked up here. The eight tracks—The Gospel Tree comes in two versions, at the beginning and at the end)—are thoughtful and atmospheric, with intriguing lyrics, rich instrumentation, amazing vocals, inventive arrangements, and tasteful production. It is all truly impressive, a listening experience to immerse yourself in again and again.

Moon Orchids’ self-titled album, recorded primarily by Mike Roche, is out now digitally and on vinyl LP (self-released). Featuring Jacob Simons (vocals, guitars, etc.), Bailey Miller (electric guitar), Morgan Keltie (vocals, trumpets, tambourine), Jeremy Cronk (bass guitar, electric guitar, lap steel) and Brendon Infante (drums, vocals), backed by Mark Andrew Morris (guitars, keyboards, percussion, tapes, vocals) and Isaac Bagley (alto & baritone saxophone, percussion).

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