“One listen to Alnilam’s upcoming debut album, Indigo Sky, and you will know why their style is often referred to as dream pop. Alnilam is the middle star in Orion’s Belt, a fact upon learning that subconsciously lifts people up and away to another space and time. But there is also an ever ethereal feel to the actual music and an overall sound that mentally transports listeners to an almost imaginary stress free land of make believe, providing an auditory escape that rivals any dream. With a sound that seems to be from the heavens and has a touch of mysticism to it ala Mazzy Star, Alnilam’s music is simultaneously compositionally complex, yet straightforward. Deep, but not in a way that you are afraid to blindly dive right in. Ultimately, Alnilam’s 10 track Indigo Sky allows itself to be something to everybody. From beginning to end, this is a can’t miss debut release from a band that we are sure to hear more from in the future.” – Lisa D’Arrigo, Indie Minded Reviews (Oct 21, 2015)
“Alnilam is an LA based band in the dream pop genre. With a 90s feel, there are hints of Beulah, Neutral Milk Hotel, and The Cranberries. Sonically, inside their sound lies an inscrutable feeling, one at times eerie, searching, yearning and nostalgic of past and future memories. Lyrically, they speak of love, loss, death, dreaming and much more. Lead singer Elena Pinto has a soft and supple voice – each song a lullaby to the listeners ears. The whole album is quite beautiful, mellow, easy, and well paced out. Beautiful strings, guitar and double vocals give a depth to Alnilam’s sound, one that is ethereal and open. I recommend this as a fall download and listen.” – Lynette Williams, This Is Not The Radio (Oct 12, 2015)
“It is strange to think this comes from L.A. a city of concrete and traffic jams as it is is blissfully organic with Elena Pinto’s vocals sounding at peace with the world around her rather than stressed rat race which takes place in the City of Angels. Fans of Raspuntina will be able to appreciate what these guys are doing as they combine song writing smarts with atmospheric elegance. But fans of any sublime beauty from the Cocteau Twins to Azure Ray will find something to latch onto.” – Wil Lewellyn, Abysmal Hymns (Oct 06, 2015)
“Sometimes during the wintertime, the best thing to do is to lean into the frosty appeal of the season. When doing so, here’s a song to serve as your soundtrack thanks to Los Angeles folk-pop concern Alnilam. Think of the Sundays meets Suzanne Vega, with this slice of string laden wintry folk-pop as taken from their debut album Indigo Sky.” – Rob Jones, The Delete Bin (Jan 04, 2016)
“Fronteras de lado, Lilac bien podría ser mi canción favorita del 2015 y su video es bello, finamente ejecutado y con un tremendo gusto en los detalles. Si no conocen aún a Alnilam, pues pasen adelante. (Frontiers aside, Lilac may very well be my favorite song of 2015 and its video is beautiful, finely executed, and with tremendous taste in details. If you don’t know Alnilam yet, well come on in.)” – Víctor Fernández G, La Nacion (Dec 26, 2015)
“Canciones como Rise y el sencillo Lilac refrescan con una mezcla de folk y pop orquestral y el videoclip de está última es un reflejo del espacio que abre la música del grupo: una pausa para la nostalgia y para el disfrute de la música. (Songs like Rise and the single Lilac, refresh with a mix of folk and orchestral pop, and the latter’s video is a reflection of the space this band’s music opens: a pause for nostalgia and enjoyment of music.” – Carlos Soto Campos, La Nacion (Dec 13, 2015)
The Short Stack – December 2015 – Indigo Sky 1 of 4 albums picked for Femmusic’s December list. – http://femmusic.com/wp/index.php/2015/12/01/3470/
“A gorgeous blend of acoustic guitars, chilling strings and ethereal production, Indigo Sky has a concept base that should be familiar to any fans of new age music, or astral folk, songs with soft hearted lyrical incantations. I often found myself lost in wonder while listening to the album, pondering matters of physics and love but about halfway through, my thoughts had become too diffuse to name or relate.” – Erick Mertz, Bearded Magazine (Nov 09, 2015)
“Alnilam have found the medicine to storytelling that doesn’t have to be reserved for a photo album. Put on a pair of headphones, find a room where you can weep into a pillow and be alone for a couple of hours. Indigo Sky as an album finds the strings to the heart that tear and rip open so that angelic orchestra Alnilam craft fits right into the void.” – indiemunity.com (Oct 25, 2015)
“LA-based dream-pop band Alnilam takes its name from the middle star in Orion’s Belt and it shines brightly on its latest single “Lilac”. Their debut album, Indigo Sky, is set for release on November 13th. Lead single “Lilic” is a quiet treasure that softly radiates with Elena’s delicate, longing vocals and glows with a sweeping, symphonic folk-pop style.” – Jen Dan, DOA (Oct 24, 2015)
“The band is named after the middle star in Orion’s Belt and the dreamy, expansive ambiance of Alnilam’s songs fits perfectly with this imagery. “Lilac” comes across as more than a song due to its lyrical content. Elena’s words do a rare thing – they capture an usually elusive, ephemeral moment in time, the ‘spectacular now’, and recognize and celebrate its power and import. It’s something that most of us forget to do as we get lost in the details of daily life – to take a look at the big picture and cherish the immediate moment. The lyrics not only touch upon the present, but also reflect upon the past and project into the future in a moving way, with Elena singing about how we have so many questions, but “…sometimes no answer’s all there is.” “Lilac” is a touching, highly perceptive, and thought-provoking song and one that is worthy of the time spent mulling over its meaning in our own lives.” – Alex Green, Stereo Embers (Track of the Day) (Oct 21, 2015)
“When you think of indie folk, atmospheric and a trance-like sound are the last things that generally will come to mind. But for Los Angeles-based outfit Alnilam, those features quantify the best characteristics that define the band. Today, we are excited to premiere the band’s “When It Comes To You,” which marks a huge step forward for the group. The matured songwriting, along with the dreamstate that the song will leave you in showcases a keen awareness of Alnilam playing to their strengths.” – Pure Volume (Premiere) (Oct 20, 2015)
“Reminiscent of the ’90s band The Cranberries, Alnilam’s signature sound transcends through time with a hauntingly peaceful element that lies within. You can hear more soothing, awe-inspiring songs on their debut album, Indigo Sky, that will be released on November 13th. Until then, check out the video above and be at one with the present moment.” – Tia Scott, Occur (Oct 16, 2015)
“Album of the Week : Alnilam’s “Indigo Sky”” – Hiplanta (Oct 06, 2015)
“Today we have the pleasure of premiering the music video for Santa Monica quartet Alnilam’s debut single “Lilac”. The band’s sound blurs the line between ambient folk and dream pop, delivering ethereal ear worms which convey a deep passion for the natural world and it’s cosmic surroundings.” – Olinger, Sunset in the Rearview (Oct 01, 2015)
“Cálidos sonidos, un voz muy particular y una mezcla de estilos musicales, son los encargados de hacer disfrutar de una tarde de lluvia, tal vez, un día de sol con amigos, un encuentro con uno mismo o solo poner a rodar el disco camino a un buen viaje. (Warm sounds, a very distinctive voice and a mixture of musical styles, are in charge of the enjoyment of a rainy afternoon, perhaps, a sunny day with friends, an encounter with yourself or just let the album roll on the way to a good trip.)” – ZoneNights (Feb 27, 2015)
“We listened to Alnilam’s single of the same name and found it lulls in the way of Enya, the lead singer’s voice containing a rough edge reminiscent of the Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan.” – Hometown Pasadena, hometown-pasadena.com (Jun 16, 2014)
“Even though we can see influences from certain genres, it is impossible to conclude anything stylistic about this band. Their songs all carry a certain musical theme, but that theme is too mystic to label – for now. Click the picture above to experience the magic for yourself. Shine on, Alnilam. :)” – Quinn Dean, Magic – Music Reviews for Underground Artists (Mar 05, 2014)
* * *
ALNILAM 