Hot on the heels of three fantastic singles, AshenMoon readies their first proper collection of songs with Umbra I which further highlights the Pop meets New Wave Rawk of this breakout quartet.
If, like us, you’ve been devouring everything that AshenMoon has released thus far then Umbra I is like that best friend you haven’t seen in a bit but once together you don’t skip a beat with the synchronicity. Much like AshenMoon’s sound which is equally familiar and inviting and comforting and just causes all the feels with its’ collective electricity.
Starting off with the one-two punch of “Dustbowl” and “Mosquito”, AshenMoon deliver their modern Funk-infused New Wave Rawk that’s filled with large Grooves thanks to bassist Garry Beers and drummer Sebastian Gregory as Toby Rand’s instantly iconic vocals deliver sultry soul over it all. Speaking of soul, Rand brings all of the Soul to his performance throughout “Future Kings & Queens” which is like mixing a hymnal with Bowie’s “Heroes”. You can conveniently read more about these three by heading here and here.
Beyond those previously released tracks, “Without Faith” is a groovy stomper with “You Broke Yourself Again” offering up some new layers to the AshenMoon sound as Rand’s vocals absolutely enthrall within this delicate number. Cracking and straining with this unrelenting yearning, Rand delivers a stand out performance here as Beers steadily lays a foundation with Jimmy Khoury’s guitars echoing Rand with passionate cries surrounded by an epic string accompaniment.
If you were looking for even more facets of the AshenMoon sound then Umbra I has the hook up with alternate acoustic versions of the EP’s opening salvo included. Stripped back and bare, “Mosquito” and “Dustbowl” are two completely different animals in an acoustic setting highlighting Khoury’s intricate pluckings while Gregory and Beers offer a steady thump as Rand delivers yet another stand out performance that might be refined sonically but still unrelenting with its’ energy.
Umbra I is out through Golden Robot Records on October 16th. You can pre-order and pre-save via your favorite streaming services right here. For the latest on AshenMoon, follow them across their socials by clicking here, here, or here.