Released: 20th March 2020
Rating: ★★★
Looming through the illustrious night Moaning conjures on their debut, a jam-packed cityscape holds itself stoic while perpetrating a beauty that will stop you in your tracks. Whenever it takes a sharp left, it feels wild, but never like you’re out of safe hands, which is the true beauty of post-punk – a heart that revels in being a bit ‘out-there’ but always wants to give you a piece of itself.
Beneath the shimmering stars that blink through the low laying fog-shelf, you’ll feel at peace while knowing that life is still there to be lived, even when the darkest times can encroach upon you. Whether it’s hitting the ground running on opener ‘Ego’, or the dancing urgency of ‘Fall In Love’ – imagine The National decided to drink coffee instead of wine and played a bit fast and loose with more electronic sounds.
The heart of ‘Uneasy Laughter’ lies in its threat to fall apart constantly, while safe in the sanctity of its dark city streets – there’s a loneliness, but when you’re in such good company, you don’t mind.
Steven Loftin