Get ready for the vibrance of Mahto & The Loose Balloons with their latest album, “Knock Knock It’s The Loose Balloons.” Dropped since January 31, 2025, this bad boy is a wild ride through ups and downs, especially the headache of homeownership, all wrapped up in some seriously catchy folk-rock. Hailing from Johnson City, Tennessee, this band is a collective of perfect musical storytellers.
At the helm of this project is Mahto Addison-Browder, not just the lead singer and guitarist, but someone who pours his heart out in every song with songwriting that’s always deeply personal. It’s like he’s taken a page out of Tom Waits and Neil Young’s playbook, but he’s definitely doing his own thing. The album’s title, a cheeky little nod to “Meet The Beatles,” hints the band’s not afraid to have a bit of fun while they’re rocking out, and we’re totally here for it.
But Mahto’s not flying solo on this one. He’s got a killer crew backing him up. There’s Will Diebold laying down some sick bass; Travis F. Welch going all out on guitar, organ, and mandolin (talk about a multi-tasker!), and not one but two drumming powerhouses – Sam Love and Niko Graham. Will’s bass keeps everything grounded, while Travis is out there adding layers like a musical mad scientist. And let’s not get started on Sam and Niko – those two keep the energy pumping through every single track.
You should’ve been there when these guys laid down tracks at Classic Studio in Bristol. It wasn’t your typical squeaky-clean recording session—no, this was raw, live, and bursting with energy. You could practically feel the sweat and hear the amp buzz through the speakers (saying this because we believe so!). It’s not some overproduced, auto-tuned mess. It’s real. It’s dirty. It’s human. The band just went for it, playing together like they were jamming in someone’s garage. Minimal overdubs, maximum vibes. When you hit play, it’s like you’re right there in the room with ’em, watching the magic happen. It’s got that authentic feel, you know? Kinda reminds us of those trippy folk-rock bands from back in the day.
The standout track, “Virginia Side,” is a huge celebration of camaraderie and the joy of creating music with friends. The spacey keys and jangly guitars will transport you, man. And Mahto’s lyrics show us he’s just spilling his guts about the whole recording experience. If you’ve ever jammed with friends, you’ll get it. Another highlight is “Loki.” Mahto really shows off his chops on that one. It’s got this killer surf-rock thing going on, but it’s totally its own beast. These guys know how to mash up styles like nobody’s business. You’ll be bobbing your head and tapping your toes before you know what hit you.
“Lockbox” and “Promised Land” are all about finding your place in this crazy adult world. The way they talk about houses and the stories inside them – it’s like they’re painting pictures with words throughout the whole album. It just feels so… connected. Then you’ve got tracks like “Strawberries” and “Silver Fish” that come out of nowhere and knock your socks off. These guys know how to tell a story, that’s for sure. They throw in these little everyday things – like how good strawberries taste or the weird stuff that comes with owning a house – and suddenly you feel like you’re right there with them. It’s pretty cool.
“Knock Knock It’s The Loose Balloons” is just a damn good album. It’s Mahto & The Loose Balloons doing what they do best. You listen to these songs and you’re like, “Yeah, I get that.” If you want actual music, check it out now.
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