New Music From Moses Sumney: Is God Is

Moses Sumney, interviewed in Tape Op #125, has new music out in the form of a collaboration with composer Joseph Shirley (The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and Creed III) for the soundtrack to director Aleshea Harris’ film Is God Is. I should back up and say that discovering Moses' music on his 2017 release, Aromanticism, and subsequently diving into his previous releases, had a profound effect on the way I listen to his music. Aromanticism made me want to slow down, sit down, and just... listen. We consume music passively in so many scenarios; making dinner, cleaning the house, gardening, half-listening while driving and having a conversation with a fellow passenger, but for whatever reason, Moses Sumney records demand my full attention, and this new release is no exception. The nineteen tracks span a very reasonable 45 minutes run time, but the listening journey is twisting, turning, slithering, soulful, cathartic and redemptive. If this was what church was like, I'd be there every Sunday.

The music on Is God Is runs the board from intimate acoustic delta blues-inspired tracks, sprawling cinematic orchestral offerings, gospel stomps, bass-driven rock grooves, and haunting, ethereal moments, all featuring Sumney's incredible voice. Additional vocals on the track "Sins of the Father" were done by Kara Jackson.

When people ask for an artist or album recommendation, I often share Moses Sumney. He embodies an artistry and mastery of his craft that runs deep. Sumney's writing and sound is so unique and truly individual in a musical landscape that is full of sound-alikes, productions using the same plug-ins, AI generated nonsense, and things that sound like AI generated nonsense. I am not here to grouse or be bitter about the state of the music biz. There is a ton of great music out there, and as many artists actively and passionately pursuing it. I like, and listen to a lot of it. I listen for work, for reference, and in the case of Moses Sumney, I listen for pleasure, and a reminder that music, in all its many forms, is going to be OK.