We believe we’ve found the perfect album for Mother’s Day!  With Mutogibito, Dalot (Maria Papadomanolaki) returns to her roots, while celebrating the newness of motherhood.  She’s made an album which her young daughter Athena will likely enjoy now and brag about later.

The endearing cover art (by Violetta Testacalda) is reminiscent of nesting dolls, with a mothering twist.  Those dolls don’t cradle each other like these images do.  The album sways with comfort, like a child in her mother’s arms; bells and mobiles abound; and in the end, a lullaby rocks the child to sleep.

While the gentle opening track (“s2s”) sounds like recent Dalot, the album’s key tracks “Tear” and “Lift” hearken back to an earlier time.  In these pieces (and to a lesser extent, “Arrival”), one can hear hints of early shoegaze and post-rock.  Yes, Dalot dares to use these vintage terms and bears them with pride.  With…