BELGIUM’S ‘NEWMOON’ SHINING BRIGHT WITH SHOEGAZE PERFECTION
ANTWERP-based shoegaze sensations, NEWMOON tease the release of next year’s ‘Temporary Light’ album with today’s unveiling of ‘Fading Phase,’ a dreamy, hypnotic affair, full of blooming guitars and gracefully haunting melodies.
“While writing this album I got a new guitar,” explains singer-guitarist, Bert Cannaerts.
“It was an older Rickenbacker from the ‘90s with loads of wear and tear on it. Definitely a guitar that already had a great life before it got into my hands. The main riff of ‘Fading Phase’ was the first thing I wrote on that guitar and the whole song just kind of wrote itself as soon as I had that riff. It was one of those magical moments where everything just falls into place.”
And ‘Temporary Light’ is full of those magical moments, weaving a sonic tapestry that harks back to the band’s roots yet exhibiting a fresh approach.
Joined by new drummer Conor Dawson, album number three marks an exciting chapter in the band’s evolution, their signature feel for grand, yet delicate, melodies are clearly enriched by his rhythmic finesse, adding a fresh layer of depth and musicality.
“Thick layers of guitars always felt natural to us and are kind of our main thing, and we wanted to explore some ideas that have been in the back of our mind ever since we started this band,” added Cannaerts. “As soon as we let go of trying to write a specific type of album, the songs grew organically, and everything just clicked.”
Having previously recorded ‘Space’ and the band’s debut EP, ‘Invitation To Hold,’ Newmoon once again enlisted engineer and producer Thomas Valkiers to record ‘Temporary Light.’ Additionally, Slowdive’s Simon Scott is responsible for the mastering.
For the cover art the band contacted Brussels-based American painter, Janise Yntema. “When we saw her painting, everything just clicked,” adds Cannaerts.
“We were immediately drawn to it, and it felt like it fitted the theme of the album so well, and we got her permission right as we went into the studio, so it also gave us some form of visual reference while recording.”
The original painting dates from 2019 and is titled, ‘Morning Sky.’
‘Temporary Light’ is set for release on March 2024, through [PIAS] Recordings (EU) and Manifesto Records (US).
NEWMOON online: https://linktr.ee/newmoontheband
