Versatile rock duo Moon Walker crashes the independent music scene with their dynamic and dense listening experience through their recently released 7-track EP, 'Truth To Power."
Consisting of singer/guitarist Harry Springer and drummer Sean McCarthy, Moon Walker takes influence from icons like Bowie, Talking Heads, and Led Zeppelin. With traces of funk, post-punk, and even krout rock in their music, it's safe to say that Moon Walker's dynamic and engaging sound will leave anyone feeling invigorated.
Now releasing their jam-packed 7-track EP, 'Truth To Power,' the venture kicks off with the introductory track, "Devil." The song opens with a soft shaker that expands into a funky bassline and a smooth drum break. As the song's groovy atmosphere is set with help from vibrant female vocal harmonies, Springer makes his sweet and melodic vocal appearance while diving into a rather heavy lyrical theme. While singing of how we've chosen to use the word "Devil" as our scapegoat for life's tragedies and downfalls, the instrumentals broaden and bring the song an incredibly powerful and hazy edge.
Onto track number two, "TV Made Me Do It," the song kicks off on an incredibly funky note with a thumping bassline and groovy drum breaks. As Springer joins the party, he begins to enlighten us on how the media has managed to force-feed our minds with the nonsense that's filtered through every source and changed like a game of broken telephone. We adore the song's savory and foot-stomping groove, as it perfectly allows Springer's message to shine bright in the spotlight. We can't help but hear similarities to acts like Cage the Elephant through Moon Walker's overall attitude and their dramatic instrumental stories.
Getting into an even deeper and more intense groove with the heavy-hitting third track, "Tear Down The Wall," the track takes off with a growling bassline and McCarthy's down-tempo and crashing drum breaks. Taking a deeper listen to Springer's lyrics, he takes listeners through a heavily political concept of tearing down the wall and how powerful forces have attempted to keep the "little people" small. We adore this song's power and might, as it centers our focus on the song's in-depth message without a dull moment in sight.
Spicing it up with the next track, "New Commandment," the song brings listeners into an upbeat and lively atmosphere right off the bat with Moon Walker's mysterious and exciting instrumentals. As Springer begins to strike our speakers with his powerful and attention-commanding vocals, he later tells a rough story of falling to your knees in prayer at the sight of a harsh new commandment. What makes this song all the more interesting is Moon Walker's entire soulful and cinematic instrumentals, leaving us feeling refreshed and revitalized.
Maintaining the same heavy and striking groove with the next track, "Disturbed Suburbia," the song instantly takes listeners through a vibrant listening experience. As the 60s electric guitar riffs accompanied by a plucky baseline take the song by storm alongside McCarthy's tight drum arrangements, Springer jumps in and begins to sing yet another lyrically heavy message. Moving through the song, Springer touches on hiding our fears and woes behind masks while never letting the outside world see what monsters roam within.
Deepening the EP's listening experience with the sixth track, "Light Burns Out," the song opens on a more melancholic and saddening tone with a cinematic string section, a bluesy piano, and an entire soulful instrumental. As Springer begins to passionately belt his vocals while touching on starting anew after feeling burnt out, the song later transitions into this heavenly and psychedelic feel with a dreamy synthesizer. This song perfectly balances the entire EP, as it brings the project this deeply emotional and cinematic edge.
Reaching the EP's outro track, "The Dark Town," the song opens with a robust and exhilarating feel through the tight and pulsating bass licks, McCarthy's punchy drum breaks, and Springer's passionate vocal stylings. We love this song's upbeat feel, especially as the bright acoustic guitar adds a Spanish flamenco vibe. As Moon Walker blasts our speakers in all sorts of sci-fi-inspired synths and their gritty instrumentals, they take us to the outro while we attempt to process the intricacy and meaning that Moon Walker has placed into this entire EP.
Douse yourself in the flames of Moon Walker's latest conceptual EP, 'Truth To Power,' now available on all digital streaming platforms.
Welcome to BuzzMusic, Moon Walker. What an engaging and exciting experience you've delivered with your recent 7-track EP, 'Truth To Power.' When did you begin writing songs and ideas for this project? How long did it take to create the entire EP?
Thank you so much for saying that! The first song we made for Moon Walker, in general, was Tear Down The Wall. All the rawer, garage rock-ey ones came immediately after, like This Dark Town, Disturbed Suburbia, and Light Burns Out. Writing TV Made Me Do It was what uncovered the more funky, tight drum and bass side of our sound. After writing New Commandments, I knew the project was finished. The song rounded off the concept and even laid out 7 “new commandments”, so it was perfect to make the record 7 tracks long. As each song was one of the commandments. I’d say the record probably took 3 or 4 months, but it’s hard to say because we immediately got to work on our second record, which we’re still working on.
What inspired the concept behind your EP, 'Truth To Power?' What message did you want to get across to your listeners?
The project started as an outlet for my political frustrations. I’m very sarcastic by nature so at some point I realized that, rather than speaking as myself, I was kind of playing a character. Like how Stephen Colbert used to play a Bill O’Reilly caricature on the Colbert Show. I was kind of playing the role of a Trumpian ignoramus who’s fallen victim to fear-mongering and indoctrination and takes the capital insurrection one step further. To me, the record absolutely does follow one narrative and concept, but the intention is that each song can stand alone and can easily apply to the world we actually live in, not just the slightly fictionalized version described on the record. The record is a condemnation of a lot of people in the country and a warning as to what will happen if they get what they want.
Does the tracklist order within 'Truth To Power' have any significance? How does the song order enhance the EP's concept and story?
It does! Each song is, first and foremost, a reflection of my actual views of the world I live in but there is definitely a story to be uncovered on the record. Track 1 is basically about someone’s descent into delusion, track 2 is about a terrorist act they carry out on the capital, track 3 is about them and their followers seizing control, track 4 is about the implementation of their new governing document, track 5 is about the social implications of their rule, track 5 is about how everyone, even their followers, ends up feeling the immense backlash, financial and otherwise, of their rule and track 6 is about how it impacts future generations. It’s a lot about the Trump presidency and a lot about my fears for what could happen in future elections. It’s kind of dystopian but also disturbingly close to reality.
Which track off 'Truth To Power" do you feel is the most powerful and influential, lyrically and sonically?
That’s hard to say! Maybe “The TV Made Me Do It”. That one is definitely the most involved track, production-wise. Sonically, that’s the best indication of what our next record will sound like. I also think the lyrics really drive the point of the record across. I’m very happy with that song.
How does this project and its concept represent your group and what you stand for? How does 'Truth To Power' help us get to know you more personally?
It is a 100% true reflection of my views. While making it, I had so much anger and frustration built up. Between the election, the insurrection, the reaction to the BLM riots, etc., I was beyond embarrassed and disgusted by half the people in the country. Making this record was pretty much the only thing I could do to keep me from wanting to punch every republican in the face haha. Though, I still think most of them could still use a swift, hard punch in the face. Especially the ones in Texas. Maybe it’ll knock some sense into them.