Explosions in the Sky's debut changed music (and cinema)

THERE'S BEEN PLENTY written about the Austin, Texas quartet known as Explosions in the Sky. As the heir apparent to Scotland's post-rock pioneers Mogwai, EITS and their instrumental rock symphony has permeated film and American life is ways the band never intended.

With sweeping, moody instrumental narratives, the band's songs often push the eight-minute mark. The songs themselves seemingly tell a story, with your mind as narrator and your self as the star.

Filmmaker David Gordon Green summed it up well in an interview with Texas Monthly in 2019: “It doesn’t follow traditional short form structure. It kind of feels more lived in and narrative. They’ll come in with muscle and leave you with tears, and there’s a kind of range of emotions that I think a good narrative journey can take you on, and they do it in their pieces.” The band has scored two of his films.

EITS burst onto the scene as the primary soundtrack of the hit film "Friday Night Lights" and have since produced a series of albums and movie and television scores. Their gift is unique in the rock world. Their music can be a storyteller on its own, or it can propel the emotional nuances of a scene with cinematic glory.

If you're new to EITS, start at the beginning with "How Strange, Innocence" and listen through to present day. They have a story to share, and it's mesmerizing.

Must-listen tracks:

• Track 3 - Magic Hours
• Track 4 - Look into the Air

🛢🛢🛢🛢/5. Available everywhere since January 17, 2000.