
NIGHTLANDS
Moonshine (Western Vinyl)
Dave Hartley of The War On Drugs has created a new album in his solo incarnation, Nightlands. Moonshine marries complex and beautiful harmonies with profound lyricism that brings such pleasure to the listener: psychedelic dreampop constructed in a way that makes the listener feel like they’ve entered, well, a dream.
Reminiscent of Pink Floyd with a touch more synth, Moonshine’s lyrical focus is on current affairs – particularly the unattainability of the American Dream, which is fully brought to life in the titular track. Artists experimenting with ambitious harmonies often end up using them excessively in an attempt to push the boundaries of standard musical theory, but Hartley produces these beautifully: multi-layered, without excessively pushing them to their limits.
These harmonies, present in every track on Moonshine, greatly contribute to the dreamlike atmosphere; a combination of traditional instrumentals with synths that’s resulted in a delight of an album to listen to.
words RHIANNON FARR