Style: Alternative rock, dark folk (clean vocals)
Recommended for fans of: King Buffalo, Julie Fowlis, Kalandra, Emma Ruth Rundle
Country: Sweden
Release date: 6 February 2026

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Prog rock is a hodgepodge of styles. With a plethora of ever-changing subgenres out there, everyone can find their special niche. From fun, jazzy Marbin to medieval doom Apocalypse Orchestra, the prog rock umbrella covers many bases. But listen to enough genres over the years and one starts to think they’ve listened to everything worth listening to. Then life smacks you in the face and shouts, “You haven’t listened to this yet, so get to it!” Such was the case for yours truly and Moon Mother with their new slow rock/dark folk album, Meadowlands. Will Meadowlands be able to make impactful craters on rock, or will its sound be forced to wander the fields of obscurity?

Comprised of vocalist Sara Mehner and guitarist Patriec Ahlström, Moon Mother debuted in 2023 with soulful folk record She’s a Starry Night. This same soul gives Meadowlands life: the album softly coaxes out hope amidst the gloom and depression that comes with the cold season with moody soundscapes. While some bands are just waiting for a chance to knock your headphones off with devastating screams and snarls, Mehner’s gentle, soft-spoken vocals are no less emotionally powerful. Meadowlands immediately showcases the depth of Mehner’s singing, as her soothing voice sighs with longing for a better state of mind mere seconds into opener “High Houses.” The duo explores themes of betrayal and processing trauma, traveling through the freezing, painful winter to reach the sunny rebirth of hope that spring brings. Mehner’s ethereal voice beautifully paints a landscape that evokes that melancholy feeling you get when returning to a place filled with past trauma and realizing that you never truly left.

With Mehner’s intimate vocals acting as the paintbrush, the lyrics are the paint. Meadowlands has powerful, gut-wrenching lyrics that are sure to hit deep for anyone struggling with depression. For instance, the chorus for “High Horses” sings: ‘I stood in the fire and you all just watched me burn’—relatable for anyone feeling isolated and betrayed. Yet glimmers of hope emerge from the gloom; I particularly enjoy the imagery in “It Comes With Shadows” with the line ‘…and the sun hung so low but still it poured the purest gold…’ The message throughout the album is clearly found within the lyrics—that yes, depression and trauma may be dark and dreary, but light is always to be found. 

While Mehner takes center stage with the angelic singing, Ahlström and guest drummer Robert Hall both carefully propel Meadowlands forward from the background. However, there’s some terrific—though over too soon—guitar work to be found on “Be A Forest, Child!” Ahlström doesn’t steal the spotlight often, but when given that chance, he adds extra energy and liveliness to an otherwise quiet, peaceful album. Hall’s drum work acts similarly: when the opportunity arises, he shows off, as is the case in “World in a Glass Jar,” subtly adding extra flair to amplify the catchy chorus. 

However, things don’t always work together seamlessly. Mehner’s soft-spoken vocals are sometimes too quiet and difficult to hear. For example, closing song “Windhover” suffers as the gentle vocals are overtaken by the instruments; the finale ends up not hitting as hard as may be intended. Whether that’s intentional or just indicative of some need for fine-tuning the production, I’m not sure. These are arguably minor issues, almost forgiven when Mehner more than makes up for it with the incorporation of fun yodel-like high notes towards the end of the track.

Moon Mother has managed to create something ethereal with Meadowlands. Where some choose to assault the senses, Moon Mother chooses to caress and encompass. Mehner’s beautiful voice carries the listener along, cradling them in a bundle of anguish, trauma, and an intimate warmth. While Meadowlands could use some tweaking in the production department, the album effectively makes you sit with the pain of your past and shines a ray of hope on your future. So save some money on therapy and take a quaint stroll through the Meadowlands. Just mind the bees.

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Recommended tracks: High Horses, It Comes With Shadows, Meadowlands, Windhover
You may also like: Marjana Semkina, Preyrs, Hannah Frances
Final verdict: 8/10

Related links: Instagram

Label: Independent

Moon Mother is:
– Sara Mehner (vocals, lyrics, piano)
– Patriec Ahlström (guitars, bass, strings)
With guests:
– Robert Hall (drums, percussion)