Evolution in Motion: of Montreal Drops the Infectious New Single ‘Take The Form’

The sonic landscape of Athens, Georgia, has always been shaped by the restless, kaleidoscopic imagination of Kevin Barnes. As the creative force behind of Montreal, Barnes has spent decades proving that “genre” is just a suggestion. From the lo-fi, twee-pop charm of the late 90s to the flamboyant glam-funk of the mid-2000s and the sprawling, synth-heavy experiments that followed, the band has built a career on one simple rule: never do the same thing twice.

With their latest record, Aethermead, the band is once again proving why they remain one of the most vital acts in the indie scene. Their new single, “Take The Form” is a fuzzy, synth-tinged earworm that balances tight, danceable hooks with that signature, biting introspection fans have come to love.

“Take The Form”: A Masterclass in Indie Pop

“Take The Form” stands out on Aethermead as a track that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly urgent. It leans into a punchy, guitar-driven aesthetic that hits hard without losing that classic of Montreal playfulness.

Lyrically, the song tackles the messy stuff we’d all rather avoid. Barnes describes the track as a meditation on the friction between two people:

“’Take the Form’ is about trying to will a person into becoming something they’re not—something you want them to be for your own benefit—and suffering pretty terribly as a result.”

That’s the magic of the band. They can pair a bright, driving melody with the heavy, relatable ache of unrequited expectations. It’s music that demands you get up and move, even while you’re picking apart the complicated realities of the human heart.

Why of Montreal Still Matters

In an industry that usually rewards artists for playing it safe, of Montreal has thrived by constantly shifting gears. Every album acts like a new chapter, pulling from totally different influences—psychedelic pop, 70s funk, modern indie—yet it always sounds unmistakably like them.

What Keeps Them Ahead of the Curve:

• The Live Experience: If you’ve seen them live, you know it’s less of a concert and more of a theatrical event. It’s that rare kind of performance that actually feels like an occasion.

• The Creative Hustle: Kevin Barnes has managed to sustain a career that feels just as creative now as it did twenty years ago. It’s hard to stay that relevant without selling out, but they’ve pulled it off.

• The Genre-Bend: Whether you’re a fan of the dance-floor anthems or the raw, internal monologue of their more emotional records, their back catalog is a bottomless well for any music lover.

Listen to Aethermead

With Aethermead, the band proves they’ve still got plenty of surprises left in them. “Take The Form” is the perfect place to jump in if you’re new, or a great reminder of why you started listening in the first place.