Chicago-Gainesville collaboration Ferrn has unveiled Endless & Elsewhere, their mesmerizing debut album, released on October 25, 2024. The 10-track masterpiece delves into themes of climate anxiety, hope, and the surreal beauty of a fictional dystopian Florida. Born from the creative minds of Ryan Backman, Jonathan Mondragon, and Tyler Earls, Ferrn delivers an immersive sonic experience that blends dreamy soundscapes with sharp, poignant production.
The band’s roots trace back to Ryan Backman’s years in Gainesville, where he honed his skills as a pianist and composer. After a hiatus, Backman relocated to Chicago, bringing fresh inspiration to his music. With bassist and producer Jonathan Mondragon, a veteran of the Chicago music scene, and guitarist Tyler Earls, Ferrn transformed from a solo pandemic project into a collaborative powerhouse. Together, they’ve crafted Endless & Elsewhere—an album that feels like a cinematic journey through a world teetering between despair and resilience.
From the opening notes of “Ponnd,” the album draws you into its lush, expansive world. This opening track sets the tone with layered synths, delicate vocals, and field recordings that feel like whispers from another dimension. It’s a fitting entry point for an album steeped in ambient textures and emotional depth.
The journey continues with “New Life,” a track that juxtaposes soft, dreamy melodies with an undercurrent of urgency. Backman’s vocals shine here, channeling a mix of vulnerability and hope. The introspection deepens in “Drowned,” where cascading guitar lines and moody bass grooves evoke a sense of quiet reflection.
“Nightmare Furniture” stands out as one of the album’s most striking tracks. With its haunting harmonies and dissonant synth layers, it captures the surreal tension of living in a world both familiar and alien. The track transitions seamlessly into “True Sleep Waits,” which offers a moment of serenity—a sonic sigh that feels like floating in a liminal space.
“Look” and “Drift” exemplify Ferrn’s knack for blending genres. Drawing from influences like Stereolab, Yo La Tengo, and Spirit of the Beehive, these tracks oscillate between shoegaze-inspired haze and krautrock precision. Earls’ guitar work adds an edge that cuts through the dreamy production, giving the songs a dynamic, physical quality.
As the album progresses, the energy builds with “Whorl,” a track that pulses with life. Mondragon’s basslines take center stage here, driving the song with a groove that feels both playful and urgent. “Evergladde” follows, a lush, almost cinematic piece that encapsulates the album’s thematic core: the strange beauty of a world on the brink.
The closing track, “Welcome To,” feels like the perfect finale. It ties together the album’s themes with a sense of closure, its cascading melodies fading into a gentle hush. It’s a fitting end to a record that invites listeners to lose themselves in its fictional world, only to emerge with a renewed sense of clarity.
Ferrn’s creative process is as intricate as the album itself. Each track began as an improvisation on piano and synth, evolving in a home studio filled with drum machines, samples, and field recordings. The addition of Earls’ guitar work brought a new vitality to the music, transforming introspective sketches into vibrant compositions. With the help of Max Grazier, who lent his production expertise to the final stages, the album gained a rich texture and cohesion that elevates it to new heights.
What makes Endless & Elsewhere truly special is its ability to balance beauty and unease. In the midst of global uncertainty and escalating climate anxiety, Ferrn has created a record that feels both timely and timeless. The themes of searching for hope in a disorienting world resonate deeply, and the music captures this tension with a rare sensitivity.
As Ferrn prepares to bring their music to live audiences in 2025, including an ambitious YouTube series featuring ambient sets and a swamp-inspired light show, Endless & Elsewhere sets the stage for an exciting future. With its intricate soundscapes, barbed lyricism, and evocative themes, Ferrn’s debut album is more than just a collection of songs—it’s an invitation to explore a world that feels eerily like our own, yet tinged with the magic of possibility.
Dive into Endless & Elsewhere and let Ferrn’s music wash over you like a gentle, dystopian tide. It’s an experience not to be missed.
