After a slew of psychedelic singles, Montreal-based modern psych-pop band Elephant Stone will release their new EP Le voyage de M. Lonely dans la lune this Friday (2/18) via Elephants On Parade. The band has shared the final peek into the concept EP with the forlorn, dazed out single “Solitude.” Following previous frenetic releases “La fusée du chagrin” and “M. Lonely” where the hermetic titular character plans and makes his solitary escape from earth, today’s track is arguably the most solemn of the collection, where M. Lonely now mourns what his isolation has given him, grieving and longing for what he left back home.

 
Dhir explains, “I was deep into The Pretty Thing’s ‘Parachute’ when I wrote this one. I kept hearing this harmony that reminded me of them. However, once recorded, it sounded nothing like them. I love the gentleness of the tune…it’s a swing ballad with a ‘himalayan mountain top’ solo by Robbie…. something like Slash’s solo in the video for ‘November Rain’.” The band will also be embarking on a North American tour this upcoming May following an appearance at SXSW, with dates and tickets available here.

Le voyage de M. Lonely dans la lune picks up the personal aspects of survival explored on the group’s previous album Hollow, and what that means on a dying planet with or without people. “I built this storyline about a hermit who is very content in his solitary world, until a world event happens that causes everyone else to stay home as well…sound familiar?” Dhir explains. “He sees this as a mockery of him and his choices, deciding instead to build a rocket ship to the moon to be left alone.” Unraveling over the course of four songs with raucous hooks and voltaic synths on the first two tracks, and lonely, soft melodies on the last two, M. Lonely, Dhir says, “ultimately realizes he was happier back on imperfect earth with all of its imperfect people.”

Photo Courtesy: Bowen Stead