Before he founded Elephant Stone, Rishi Dhir made his name as a sitar journeyman, recording and touring with acts such as Brian Jonestown Massacre and the High Dials. Although Dhir has displayed a love of psychedelic and classical Indian music, “Setting Sun” is conversant in the same soft-edged guitar pop that his band takes their name from; at least for a few minutes. The song lays a bait and switch, thrusting into existence with cheerful, interlocking guitar and bass parts before descending into reverb-addled spasms. By the time you reach the other side, the distinction between tranquility and discord is fittingly muddled. “A calling card for the end of the century,” as Dhir puts it.
Elephant Stone’s self-titled album is out now on Hidden Pony
