Before I sit down to write a review of a musician, singer, or band, I always carry out a little investigation: I read interviews, dig through old recordings, catch fragments of stories and details. This helps me see the people behind the songs-their thoughts, their inner springs. And now, as I prepare material on the new release by Nom De Plume, I came across a phrase from one of the members, and it pierced me-so simple, yet so full and alive. Perhaps that is where my story should begin. The author of these words is the band’s founder-singer, songwriter, and guitarist Aris Karabelas. And here is the essence: for him, music is not a story about himself. It is the creation of a space that the listener may connect with on their own terms. Once a song enters the world, it ceases to belong to the artist and becomes about what it means to each person who hears it. Nom De Plume craft songs without claims to a single correct interpretation. Their music does not explain, it responds; it does not limit, it brings people together in a shared yet always deeply personal experience.
Nom De Plume is an indie-rock project by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Aris Karabelas, created together with bassist Michael Magee and a team of like-minded musicians. Founded in Baltimore and later rooted in Boston, Nom De Plume released two album- “Lovely Land” and “Ashes to Argyle.” After a creative pause, they return with new material full of energy and substance-their third album, “Circle The Dream.” Before releasing it, the band presented a series of singles: “Once a Time of May,” “The Shadow,” “While My Eyes Gently Weep.” With this new release, the ensemble expands their sonic boundaries, yet continues to build on sincerity and emotion. Their music is an alloy of pop melodicism, indie-folk, American tradition, classical and prog rock. Inspired by folk storytellers and fearless experimenters, the band developed its own recognizable style.
The album grew out of personal experiences, reflections, and observations, but I don’t think Nom De Plume sought to make it confessional or autobiographical. Their goal is to share feelings that resonate with every listener, leaving space for individual interpretation. The ten-track album opens with “While My Eyes Gently Weep,” which the band begins with an unexpectedly sharp guitar intro, deliberately misleading, as if preparing the ear for an increase in tempo. But then everything shifts into an entirely different light-a tender and sincerely vulnerable sound. The title track “Circle the Dream” uplifts with its warm folk-indie atmosphere, infectious energy, and sense of forward motion. Acoustic textures, violin, and bright vocal harmonies combine into a seamless sound. The song balances between longing and acceptance-between what we lost and what we might still gain. It tells of an attempt to circle around something elusive and learn to live within this fluidity.
Nom De Plume deliver tracks of incredible warmth and intimacy with “Fly” and “The Holiday,” which will surely please fans of elongated guitar solos and velvety vocals. I particularly want to note “Once a Time of May.” In my view, it reveals the band’s broader musical range, with new sonic textures and emotional nuances interwoven with honest lyrics and thoughtful production. This expanded palette continues in “The Shadow,” where the band delves even deeper into drama, creating the effect of intertwined narratives. Instruments are chosen not for show, but to underline the emotional core of the song. This attention to detail is also present in the next piece. A wandering synthesizer, sensual saxophone, and languid vocals in “Lazy” captivated me from the first notes; for me, it is an obvious highlight of the album. On the track “We’re All Like That,” the band decided to have a bit of fun, adding a touch of light youthful carefreeness to the album’s mood. Maintaining its pensive melancholy, “Do Like I Told You” gently leads the listener to the finale- “Daylight.” And here, a nearly cinematic transition occurs: birdsong suddenly cut off by sharp instrumental strikes and muffled exclamations, creating the impression of awakening-abrupt, uneven, but brimming with life.
Nom De Plume play at the crossroads of genres: they carry the melodicism of pop, the warmth of indie folk-rock, the drive of the American scene, and the daring of classical and progressive rock. This mix sounds fresh yet recognizable. The group draws inspiration from folk and rock storytellers, from guitar virtuosos, and from those unafraid to experiment with form and sound. Whether it is about words, colors of sound, or a brief moment of connection –“Circle the Dream” leaves room for everyone to hear and to feel. And for those discovering the band for the first time, I recommend listening to the album as a whole.
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