From the sandy beaches of a small surf town in Southern California, Andy Craig, better known as the frontman of New York-based band the Gloomies, bloomed into the musical mastermind he is today. With songs enveloped in ambiance and those wallowing West Coast vibes, the Gloomies don't shy away from reaching towards the more relatable aspects of life. "Moonlight," the band's most recent single, is no exception. It is an intriguing ode to night time, as well as to the silent satellite in the sky; the moon, a being who can make even the loneliest of souls come alive.
Compared to 2018's debut record Romance, along with releases like 2016's Blackout EP, "Moonlight" is a slow, yet equally as satisfying, new endeavor. The gentle, gliding guitar that lures listeners in, paired with the soft beat and Craig's alluring vocals, earn this track a top spot on any 'chill vibes' playlist. If you delve in carefully, though, the lyrics speak to the dangers lurking in the dark. "Strange visions underneath the moonlight" - visions that will "drown you in the dark for fun" - highlight the mysteriousness of the night time hour; the uncanniness of being out in the world when it is not as it seems. In a sense, that goes for every aspect of our lives. We tend to run from what we do not understand. What if, as Craig suggests, there is something out there?
"Moonlight" is an emotive song for those that just can't stay away from the shadows. It is for the people who find themselves in the dark more often than not, enraptured by the things they can't see and seek out. Though their band name may beg to differ, the Gloomies aren't here to make you melancholic. Rather, their music is meant to intrigue with a single stream. "Moonlight" is a small, yet substantial, glimpse into what this group has to offer. It is sure to draw you into the atmospheric aura that Craig has conjured, and leave you wanting to stay.
Words by Carly.
