Fleet Foxes: “Mykonos” (2008)
Seattle’s Fleet Foxes love to dip their baroque pop into a vat of thick reverb to give it a portentous sound that imitates sacred music, then coat it with rich harmonies. The results can be gorgeous and otherworldly. Another hallmark of the band is songs that veer off in unexpected directions as this one does.
“Mykonos” is from their first release, the Sun Giant EP. Although it was seen as a mere run-up to their full-length debut, and their third release topped the album chart in 2011, this enchanting track is, to my ears, their high-water mark thus far.
This song, along with others I’ve posted about by Tyler Ramsey and My Morning Jacket (below) evoke Neil Young’s most mystical and beguiling work.
Tyler Ramsey: “Stay Gone”:
My Morning Jacket: “Golden”: