motel void

Sam Miller and Matt Badger, two seasoned multi-instrumentalists rooted in the Pacific Northwest music scene, have teamed up to create Shiprock – a stunning, all-instrumental album that feels both spontaneous and masterfully crafted. Miller, a prolific pianist, composer, and producer, and Badger, a dynamic drummer and songwriter, first connected during an impromptu jam session back in 2010. Their chemistry has since matured into this 9-track project, recorded over just one weekend at Seattle’s Psychoacoustics Recreational Lab.

The album features several guest appearances, one of the most notable being on the second track Horizon Bound, which includes a collaboration with the legendary Lori Goldston – known to many for her haunting cello work on MTV Unplugged in New York by Nirvana, a formative record I’ve probably heard a thousand times. She also worked with David Byrne, and her presence here adds a raw, emotional layer that’s hard to miss. Goldston returns on the penultimate track, Foghorn, with equally mesmerizing results.

Horizon Bound itself is an epic, atmospheric piece with deep emotional resonance. But my personal favorite is the next track, Sunglint — it opens in a way that immediately reminded me of my beloved Nina Simone. It’s vibrant, instrumentally inventive, and -though I rarely use this word for instrumental songs – genuinely catchy. It’s no surprise that Sunglint was chosen as the album’s lead single. The accompanying video, directed by Chris Cunningham (known for work with Danny Elfman), helped the track reach over a million views within just two weeks of release.

What I particularly appreciate about Shiprock is its restraint. Instrumental albums often drift into long, drawn-out compositions in search of mood, but Shiprock keeps things tight and inspired. These tracks burst with ideas yet never overstay their welcome.

Take Hypnagogia, for example – a hypnotic piece built around a bold piano riff. It runs just over two minutes, but it’s so compelling you’ll want to hit replay the moment it ends. Current, the following track, is even shorter – a minute and a half – yet it opens with some of the best-sounding, natural-feeling drums I’ve heard in a while. They immediately brought to mind the rhythmic charm of Warpaint, and the clean, unobtrusive production throughout makes this album a true headphone experience.

Another standout for me is Wavering Reflection. It doesn’t hit with the immediacy of Sunglint, but it offers a gentle, nostalgic atmosphere that I find deeply enjoyable.

It’s been a long time since I’ve heard an album built around piano (and drums) that’s this fun, imaginative, and emotionally rich. Shiprock is atmospheric, dynamic, and incredibly engaging – proof that instrumental music can be just as catchy and vivid as anything with lyrics.

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