Out of the sea spray mists of Asbury Park comes the mystically hypnotic sound bath jams of Monks Pond.

For their fist full-length record, this heady six-piece blends together a hallucinatory brew of influences from Indian, Egyptian and Middle Eastern music, plus the stoic atmospheres of post-doom and cinematic ambient soundscapes. With immersive woody harmonium drones, mesmerizing beats and an eclectic array of textural sounds from instruments like synths, shruti, ektar and violin, this album has a deeply ritualistic vibe. Across each track, the band locks into a meditative groove, performing with a trance-like intensity. Although this is a mostly instrumental LP, the band’s solemn ambiance takes on a more hushed seductive-like quality once Julie Albert takes vocal responsibilities on “She Wears a Garland of Skulls,” which sounds both mysterious and haunting with its slinking melody and reverb-rich production. The tone and environment of this record can be best described as heavy yet spiritually cathartic. Give it a listen the next time you need to meditate, do yoga or simply just lay back, close your eyes and get lost into the world of a good record, and you’ll surely come out the other side feeling lighter.

Grab this album fast if you’re a fan of the work of SOMA Kirtan, Om or The Myrrors.

-KH