After an eight-year break, Blind Pilot returns with In the Shadow of the Holy Mountain, their first album since 2016’s And Then Like Lions. This long hiatus was marked by frontman Israel Nebeker’s struggle with writer’s block, which left him creatively stymied. In a bold move to push through, Nebeker challenged himself to write an entire album within a month, resulting in a deeply personal and musically evolved collection of songs.
To produce the album, the band enlisted Josh Kaufman, known for his work with The Hold Steady and David Wax Museum. Kaufman added an indie-rock flair to Blind Pilot’s folk-pop sound, encouraging the band to explore fuller, more layered arrangements. The album features contributions from a variety of instruments, including synth, trumpet, vibraphone, and clarinet, enriching the band’s already diverse sound.
The album’s themes are heavily influenced by Nebeker’s personal and literal journeys. The opening track, “Jacaranda,” is a thank-you to band co-founder Ryan Dobrowski, inspired by a trip to Mexico the two took together. The song begins with a simple acoustic guitar before swelling into a rich, harmony-driven anthem. “Just a Bird” showcases Nebeker’s bluesy electric guitar and Kati Claborn’s mountain dulcimer, exploring the tension in a fast-moving relationship with a lively call-and-response chorus.
“Brave,” inspired by the band’s involvement with a humanitarian group aiding Central American migrants, is an uplifting anthem, while “Pocket Knife” and “Faces of Light” delve into the impact of history and personal connections. “Coming Back” offers a reflective moment with its solo piano arrangement, and “Lucky,” co-written by Nebeker, Claborn, and bassist Luke Ydstie, features a poignant vocal duet between Nebeker and Claborn.
For Blind Pilot fans, the long wait for new music has been worthwhile. In the Shadow of the Holy Mountain delivers everything listeners love about the band, now with a greater depth and maturity that reflects both personal growth and musical exploration. – Jason Felton