THE SECOND COMING WAS A MOONRISE
Now over twenty years together as a working duo, Hammock continue their remarkable string of sonic explorations with one of their most boldly titled albums, The Second Coming Was A Moonrise, pursuing a feeling of sweeping, shimmering sonic awe that can never simply be summed up as anything other than itself. “Beatless ambient, post-rock, shoegaze, neoclassical,” says Byrd in conversation, noting tags they’ve been given. “Or as some of our listeners call it, loud Hammock or quiet Hammock. What all our work has in common is a distinctive sonic blueprint.” The Second Coming Was A Moonrise continues those sensations of exploration, feeling at once like one of their most intimate releases while exploring the rich sense of majesty that they can create in turn.
Byrd discusses the striking origin of the album title. One night when younger, he and a friend, while indulging in some LSD, were momentarily affected by a light in the night sky, the fundamentalist Christianity of their upbringing leading them to expect the Rapture at any moment. It was, Byrd quickly realized, a moonrise in the end, but as he notes, the mere fact that they had that as their baseline was grounds for a reflective moment.
“If anyone grew up a fundamentalist, maybe this album can be a soundtrack for letting go of toxic shame and bad religion, while holding onto what is good, beautiful and true. Seeing and experiencing a moonrise is a miracle in itself. How many times do we miss what’s there or what’s being said by someone because we assume or believe something else is happening or being said?”
“Like Sinking Stars” interprets the experience of a tornado hitting Thompson’s home and studio, while Byrd revisited more of his drug-fueled escapes from narrow-minded small town repression with “Chemicals Make You Small.” The latter features two notable guests: Wayne Coyne and Steven Drozd of the Flaming Lips, adding vocals and keyboards. Other returning guest performers include regular collaborator Matt Kidd of Slow Meadow adding strings and guitar, Deserta’s Matthew Doty on synths and guitar, Chad Howat playing keyboards and bass and Jake Finch adding some remarkable drumming.
releases May 22, 2026