A darkly consuming ballad, “Moon I” is a rousing achievement from The Moon & I, the project of Montreal-based artist Eric Nguyen. The weary, emotive vocal presence converges with a haunting piano tone and wispy textural synth — aesthetically bearing a fond likeness to Robert Wyatt. The comparison is especially apparent around 01:34, when a brassy blaring lingers subtly amidst emotive piano arrangements and a devastating, beautiful vocal subtlety. A ghostly backing vocal addition, around 03:30, sends chills — adding further to the track’s gorgeous blending of fragility with emotive power.
The artist elaborates more on “Moon I” below:
“The song primarily deals with isolation and loneliness. How easy it is to fall into darkness, when we’re left alone to our own devices without someone to anchor us and remind us of who we are. Originally written in 2012, it’s taken on new meaning for me during COVID-19 times where cities are under lockdown. I think especially about the elderly in nursing homes who were essentially abandoned and left to die in a lot of metropolitan cities.
The song was originally written and recorded in 2012, and will be officially released properly on Oct 16, 2020. It was mixed and mastered by Dan Donopka, drummer from the Grammy award winning band OK GO. Artwork by Maryse Daniel.”
—
“Moon I” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of October 2020’ Spotify playlist.
The track is also featured in the mood-based, best-of Spotify compilation Rainy Days and Late Night Drives.
