MSTU's second album, released on Loose Music, 2007
"Bloodline is reminiscent of Stereolab's Ping Pong, but MSTU's heart still lies with stripped-down folk, Nat Johnson's gorgeous vocals draped over acoustic guitars, cello and violin. The band are ghostly on Gravestones and giddy on Matterhoney's waltzing pop, but it's their maturity and restraint that impresses." - The Guardian ****
"In the wrong hands this could be all too saccharine, but singer Nat Johnson has a voice that can do withering as well as whimsical...proof there's more than one primate-monickered South Yorkshire outfit worth listening to." - NME
"Beneath the cosy wool can lurk some nasty, if always softly spoken, surprises. This Sheffield band's lovely second album abounds with these, wrapping Nat Johnson's at times vaguely Smiths-like melodies and beautiful, Tracey Thornesque voice in lovely, lilting folk-pop." - The Times
"On their ravishing second album, you can't help but think The Beautiful South - but there's no doubt this lot are way cooler." - The Sun
"Aimed at fans of The Decemberists, this would be equally satisfying to fans of The Beautiful South. And that's more of a compliment than it sounds." - Independent on Sunday
credits
released August 5, 2007
All songs written by Nat Johnson
Recorded by Alan Smyth at 2Fly Studios
Monkey Swallows the Universe are: Nat Johnson (vocals, guitar), Kevin Gori (guitar, mandolin), Cate Tully (violin, vocals, glockenspiel, recorder), Andy George (cello) and Rob Dean (drums)
supported by 10 fans who also own “The Casket Letters”
Another great album - dean wareham, joanna gruesome, lonely tourist, dorotea, the chills, manhattan love suicides & spearmint are all highlights but the whole lot is pretty darn great really martin kiosk
Elizabeth Morris of Allo Darlin’ returns with a new group! “Winter Sun” is a tender blend of pastoral folk and diary-like lyrics. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 8, 2019
A fantastic synthpop EP from Haleluya Hailu that pairs delightfully fizzy instrumentation with gorgeous vocal melodies. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 5, 2021