MØL – Dreamcrush Review
When it comes to the genre of blackgaze, one oft-heard criticism is that it lacks the raw intensity of its black metal predecessors. While this aspect appeals to many listeners, including myself, Denmark's MØL has made a name for themselves by challenging this notion. Their 2018 debut album, Jord, managed to capture even the attention of seasoned metal enthusiasts like Mark Z., who found its sound compelling enough to rouse him from his blackgaze indifference (you can read his thoughts here: https://www.angrymetalguy.com/mol-jord-review/). In 2021, they signed with Nuclear Blast Records and released Diorama, which continued the sonic exploration initiated by Jord. Now, after a significant break, we have their latest offering, Dreamcrush. The pressing question remains: does MØL still aim to be a dominant force within the blackgaze scene?
Previously, MØL was often compared directly to Deafheaven, yet their musical trajectory seems to have shifted toward a different audience. This evolution is particularly evident in their guitar work, which has evolved from powerful black metal riffs into a dreamy fusion of classic shoegaze combined with alt-rock melodies reminiscent of bands like The Smashing Pumpkins or Silversun Pickups. You can also detect influences from contemporary artists, blending upbeat, punk-infused guitar lines with harsh vocal elements that evoke the style of Noctambulist (check them out here: https://www.angrymetalguy.com/stuck-in-the-filter-february-2025s-angry-misses/#:~:text=Noctambulist%20//%20Noctambulist%20II%3A%20De%20Droom). At times, Dreamcrush even feels like a more atmospheric and less math-oriented rendition of Rolo Tomassi. MØL has truly created a sound that feels both innovative and steeped in nostalgia.
These substantial changes to MØL's musical approach have significantly enhanced the album's replay value. In their previous works, the guitars were primarily responsible for conveying deep emotions, while the vocals offered a more uniform expression of rage. In contrast, Kim Song Sternkopf's clean vocals now take on a larger share of the melodic responsibility. Notably, his harsh vocal range has expanded as well, incorporating deeper growls alongside his trademark high-pitched snarls in tracks like "Young" and "A Former Blueprint." Instrumentally, Dreamcrush shows greater variety, featuring everything from jangly guitar strumming in “Små Forlis” to dark, heavy riffs in “Young” and delicate string arrangements in “Favour.” While I have always appreciated MØL's earlier music, it often felt somewhat homogeneous until now.
That said, there are a few minor drawbacks in MØL’s new musical direction. Despite their distinct melodies, some of the song structures can become somewhat predictable, typically alternating between clean-sung verses and choruses dominated by lead guitars and harsh vocals. Additionally, a few tracks, like “DREAM” and “Dissonance,” conclude rather weakly, which slightly disrupts the overall listening experience. Moreover, the midsection of Dreamcrush, encompassing tracks like “Hud,” “Garland,” and “Favour,” is notably softer than what fans might expect from MØL. Personally, I find this shift refreshing, but it may not resonate well with all long-time supporters. On the bright side, these softer tracks showcase some of the most impressive guitar solos on the album, while the closing segments hark back to MØL’s earlier, more aggressive style. With individual track lengths trimmed, Dreamcrush presents an easily digestible runtime of 42 minutes.
In conclusion, MØL continues to defy genre conventions, albeit in a manner quite different from before. They no longer race past their peers in the blackgaze realm; instead, they have unexpectedly ventured into various other rock subgenres. Some long-time fans might be disappointed by the reduced emphasis on black metal, yet MØL still delivers an ethereal and heavy sound that many of their contemporaries strive for but seldom achieve. I can genuinely state that Dreamcrush is my favorite release from MØL to date, as it has dismantled many barriers that previously kept me from fully embracing their music. Although Dreamcrush may not come together perfectly as a cohesive whole, it unmistakably demonstrates MØL's refusal to stagnate and settle into complacency.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Nuclear Blast Records (https://www.nuclearblast.com/)
Websites: moeldk.bandcamp.com (http://moeldk.bandcamp.com/) | molband.com (https://www.molband.com/) | facebook.com/moeldk (https://www.facebook.com/moeldk/)
Releases Worldwide: January 30th, 2026
