It’s always impressive when an album manages to create a mood and sustain it through the entirety of its run-through, all the while making each song a journey of its own. It’s even more impressive when said album is a band’s debut – as is the case with the eponymous three-piece rock band, reigning from Los Angeles.
This is an album that begs to be listened to in its entirety
Despite the project initially starting with Matt Lowell as the sole songwriter, it expanded to include synth and bass-player Crisanta Baker, and guitarist Sam Stewart. The aforementioned trio have successfully created an adventurous, complex, and emotionally nuanced album – a one that stays true to its classical rock roots and influences, while also allowing itself enough room to experiment.
Lo Moon opens with ‘This Is It’ – a smooth and confident track which lays the foundations for what is to come. ‘Loveless’ follows – a gorgeous and ambitious track, totalling seven minutes. The structure of this song is reflective of the structure of the entire album – contemplative, building with a dazzling crescendo and then crashing into introspective bliss. This is aided by Matt Lowell’s soft falsettos, coupled with the harmonies that are key to songs like ‘Camouflage’. The album’s finisher, ‘All In’, elevates the entire experience to a joyful and triumphant one. This is an album that begs to be listened to in its entirety, and repeat-listenings are advised – it is impossible to get immediately lost in the atmosphere; instead, it gradually draws you in, beckoning you to be as pensive as it.
Lo Moon are an up-and-coming band, having attracted attention from Death Cab For Cutie’s Chris Walla, and having toured with The War and Drugs. It’s exciting to see where they’ll go after this.