M.O.O.N. Clinically Blasé LP
“Eight minutes of hypnotic, swirling arpeggios from a master
of the extended groove” – Resident Advisor
“Synth-infused, throbbing 80s-inspired tracks” – Rock Paper
Shotgun
“A taste of what’s to come that never gets tiring despite the
original’s 10-minute running time” – Self-Titled
Quietly building an enthusiastic following with a steady stream of EPs and
singles, M.O.O.N.'s debut full-length 'Clinically Blase' creatively navigates
a wide range of emotive synthesizer music deviating from dancegeared
tropes in favor of freer arrangements and lush instrumentation.
While the rhythms are rooted in variants of house, boogie, and synth-pop
'Clinically Blase' never tips it's hand stylistically in any particular direction
resulting in a playful balance of retro sounds and futuristic
ideas highlighting a deft melodic sensibility.
Separated by interludes, 'Clinically Blase' is split into three sections that
explore variations on similar themes and shared sounds recording live
percussion, guitar, piano, and bass in addition to software instruments and
classic analog synth gear.
The album's beatless opener "Pilot" signals departure with a vocal loop
rendered aquatic over bright, ringing piano chords - sounds which make
appearances again on the album's arpeggiating centerpiece "Alicia" and on
the closer "Finale". The smooth "Time" unwinds with unexpected jazzy
chords and expressive treated trumpet lifting it skyward. There are plenty
of moments made for movement with the ecstatic drumwork and
stratospheric pads of "Jon F", the bouncing 303 of "Leaning In", or the
funky slo-mo arpeggiated disco roll of "Medium Cool". The sequencing
ties together 'Clinically Blase' into a compelling journey, ebbing and
flowing in energy, timbre, and tempo much like a thoughtful, continuous
DJ mix.
2. Time
3. Jon F
4. Episode One
5. Medium Cool
6. Alicia
7. The Fens
8. Episode Two
9. Leaning In
10. Finale