Church Car Releases Expansive New Album '(Church Of)'

The duo's collaboration balances whimsical and meticulous sonic explorations.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:40am

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered, glittering disco glass in high-contrast studio lighting, conceptually representing the album's expansive sonic imagination.The shimmering, fractured textures of '(Church Of)' evoke the album's blend of meticulous detail and cinematic scope.Denver Today

Church Car, the musical project of Ian Douglas-Moore and Big Daddy Mugglestone, has released a new album '(Church Of)' that showcases their unique brand of intimate, imaginative indie rock. Recorded in Denver and further refined through mixing and additional recording, the album features nine tracks that blend guitar, synthesizers, percussion, and even occasional dialogue to create a cinematic, ever-shifting sonic landscape.

Why it matters

Church Car's '(Church Of)' represents a compelling evolution in the duo's collaborative approach, blending their individual musical sensibilities into a cohesive and captivating whole. The album's conceptual depth and sonic inventiveness demonstrate the continued vitality of independent, experimental rock music.

The details

Across the album's nine tracks, Douglas-Moore and Mugglestone weave together an intricate tapestry of sounds. From the pulsing opener 'Excise' to the cinematic title track 'Church Of,' the duo deftly balance whimsical and meticulous elements. Tracks like 'Goat Studies' showcase Mugglestone's rhythmic ingenuity, while 'Love Theme' offers a poignant moment of intimacy and reflection. Throughout, the album's sonic environment remains immediate yet spacious, with mastering by Carl Saff ensuring clarity in the intricate layers.

  • The album '(Church Of)' by Church Car was released on April 9, 2026.

The players

Ian Douglas-Moore

One half of the musical duo Church Car, contributing guitar, synthesizers, and other instrumentation.

Big Daddy Mugglestone

The other half of Church Car, providing percussion, rhythmic inventiveness, and additional instrumentation.

James Barone

The engineer who recorded the album in Denver.

Carl Saff

The mastering engineer who ensured clarity in the album's intricate sonic layers.

Island House Recordings

The record label that released '(Church Of)' by Church Car.

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What they’re saying

“Throughout the album, Douglas-Moore and Mugglestone demonstrate a rare economy of means, exploiting their wide instrumental palette of guitar, zither, piano, voice, Omnichord, synthesizers, Farfisa, percussion without ever feeling excessive.”

— James Broscheid, Author

What’s next

Church Car is expected to embark on a tour in support of '(Church Of)' later this year, with dates to be announced on their social media channels and website.

The takeaway

Church Car's '(Church Of)' showcases the duo's ability to create captivating, genre-blending music that balances technical prowess with a sense of playful exploration. The album's conceptual depth and sonic inventiveness demonstrate the continued vitality of independent, experimental rock music.