“Mountains” is a brilliant example of how you move from folky understatement to sky-scaping, anthemic alt-rock in just four and a half minutes. Okay, there are lots of records that do that, but the trick here is that not only do Valvet run from one extreme to the other in such a short passage of time, but they also do so incrementally and effortlessly. It is only in hindsight that you can see how far you have come, how high the music has taken you, much like climbing those titular mountains.
But it becomes clear to anyone listening closely to the lyrics that the mountains in question are metaphorical, representing the fears and uncertainties that lie ahead of us all, unknown peaks to be conquered, unfamiliar territory to be traversed, and new paths to be explored. And, again, to draw a line between the metaphorical and the real, the reward at the end of such challenges is the view and sense of achievement found on the other side.
It’s a sonically clever song, well-crafted and meticulously arranged. An acoustic guitar initially is all that guides the vocals toward the listener, but gradually, additional motifs begin to emerge, extra instrumentation chimes out, beats raise the energy levels, and slowly, the song envelops itself in additional tones and textures, layers and drive, until we find ourselves standing at the heart of a sonic maelstrom.
Like any journey, “Mountains” is a rewarding and refreshing experience. With a four-track EP just visible on the horizon, it is a journey that draws the listener ever onward, ever deeper into Valvet’s rich sonic territory.
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