Six-piece Balto’s EP of sprawling Americana, Monuments was released in September and was one of those releases that we consistently meant to post about, but somehow it still slipped through the net. We have a second bite at the cherry now though as the band have now decided to offer it up for free in honour of the holidays.

A follow-up to their excellent debut October’s Road, the EP finishes the story of a man who wandered heartbroken into Siberia and then somehow had to try to come home. Mandolins and banjo interplay with acoustic guitars over a backdrop of marching drums, pianos and organs. Voices sail out in harmony over a dusty, spaghetti western guitar twang and heartfelt emotions are laid bare at your doorstep – tangled, delicate and rich.

Grab EP opener Smokestacks below, or just head to their Bandcamp page here to grab it on a pay-what-you-want deal.

You won’t find yourself a better Christmas gift than this…

Download Balto – Smokestacks mp3 (from Monuments EP)

Follow @madmackerel