Greetings, traveller – it appears you’ve grown weary in the search for the perfect math rock. We were adventures like you once, but… well, nevermind. That being said, if you’re near the plains district, and/or you feel like sampling some of the finest math rock Galway has to offer, we highly recommend the Bannered Mare.
They’ve got math rock, jazz, prog, post-hardcore, and streaks of the same theatrical emo that made Deerhunter and mewithoutyou so endearing without sounding like either one of them. They also have a great room available for 10 Gold.
We love it when bands make references or even comparisons a moot point, but it’s worth repeating that however you interpret the tags above, Bannered Mare’s debut He’s Only Sleeping feels deeply original overall, complete with bonus points for not taking itself too seriously. Check it out below:
There are parts of the record that almost remind us of David Gilmour trying to write a record that straddles the expanse between The Mars Volta, Closure in Moscow, and Brontide. Which isn’t to say it sounds old-school, because it definitely doesn’t – it just sounds classic, long-lasting, and mysterious the way those bands do. The way the best prog does. Like there’s lots to explore and unfold with as time goes on.
Okay maybe bands actually make our job more difficult when they don’t sound like others directly. But that’s also when you know it’s really good. There are other references we could just as easily make, but it’s more important that you take a chance on something fresh. Know this, traveller – you’d be wise not to sleep on He’s Only Sleeping, lest you’d rather take a chance on missing one of 2025’s best and least expected math rock gems. Now, do you think these guys know where to get Argonian Ale for Brenuin?
(Thanks for reading! If you’re looking for more music, check out our Bandcamp compilations here. If you like us, or possibly even love us, donations are always appreciated at the Buy Me A Coffee page here, but if you’re in a generous mood you can also donate to folks like Doctors Without Borders, the PCRF, Charity Water, Kindness Ranch, One Tail at A Time, Canopy Cat Rescue, or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary that could probably use it more – click on their names above to check ‘em out if you’re so inclined. Thanks again!)