Monroe Moon - "Joy" EP

Michigan-based outfit Monroe Moon dropped their latest EP, Joy, late last month. The three songs on the release strike a nice balance between trip-hop and dark shoegaze with gummy guitar distortion, hypnotic synths, and hammering backbeats. It’s an eclectic blend of various styles of music, all swirled together for an intriguing, multi-faceted soundscape. The quartet even throws in a scaled-back, intimate track for good measure, further showcasing their diversity and range.

The songs on Joy are mostly synth-driven with infatuating, velvety tones. The lead single, “New American Housewife,” features some galactic sounding synths, creating an atmosphere that oscillates between dark and light. The track’s pulsing bassline and gritty beat ripple into “Hark (For Yoko),” a song that sees vocalist Heather Monroe’s voice slowly coming to the forefront with some ghostly layers of guitars right behind it. The final track, “Prism,” is an emotive, stripped-down ballad, as the synths, beats, and distortion all disappear, leaving just Monroe’s voice and a chilling, patient piano. It’s a powerful ending to a short, but highly impactful collection of songs.

You can purchase Joy on limited edition 7-inch vinyl via Green Witch Recordings. The EP is also available on all streaming platforms. Keep up with Monroe Moon by liking them on Facebook and following them on Instagram.