Photo: Christian Stavros

HUG is the new trio bringing together Devendra Banhart, Gyan Riley and Noah Georgeson, a joining of kindred spirits whose musical paths have been intertwining for decades. Riley, the son of minimalist pioneer Terry Riley, and Georgeson grew up together in the artistic community of Nevada City, California, where a shared obsession with classical guitar first brought them together. “Being thirteen and completely obsessed with classical guitar,” he says, “there were few people I could bond with over that… Basically just my teacher and Noah.” Georgeson and Banhart have been close collaborators since the early days of Banhart’s career. Speaking about the project’s beginnings, Banhart recalls: “Everything was sparkling and I felt like a little kid, and so I knew—we must play.”

Those long-standing connections have now yielded their self-titled debut album, arriving on September 11th through Luaka Bop. Although the record was written and recorded in just a few weeks, it draws on years of friendship and creative exchange, with the three musicians moving effortlessly between folk, ambient and experimental sounds.

Leading the album announcement is ‘Cow With Half Moon Parasol’, an utterly beautiful, enchanting and absorbing track that cuts right to the heart. The single is offered with a visualizer and you can watch it below.