


Moonshine
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Throughout the album, there are plenty of buoyant high moods where the pitter-patter of drum machine and humming digital organ hints at Hartley's low-key tropicalia streak, but the lyrics anchor the dreaminess in real-world sorrow and resignation. Nowhere are these sentiments more apparent than on the title track, a nearly acapella recitation of "America the Beautiful" that poignantly hovers over a mirage of soft keyboards before dovetailing into Hartley's own words about the hypocrisy of the American dream. "This was never intended to be an overtly political record" he admits. "I have so many friends who are able to process the frustration of current events gracefully or with wisdom or in a nuanced way, but I often find myself just consumed with anger about it all. I decided to just let that come out, and it manifested itself lyrically." Moonshine's wide-eyed, utopian instrumental backdrops provide sharp contrast to Hartley's lyrics, which sting even harder within the sweetness.
Even in light of the album's vocal emphasis, Hartley's history as a bassist brilliantly beams through Moonshine, giving effortless and sprightly movement to songs like "Down Here," which also features an extended section of saxophone lent by his Western Vinyl labelmate, Joseph Shabason. In addition to Shabason, the album hosts a short list of remote collaborators including four of Hartley's bandmates from The War on Drugs, Robbie Bennet, Anthony Lamarca, Eliza Hardy Jones, and Charlie Hall, as well as exotica virtuoso Frank Locrasto (Cass McCombs, Fruit Bats), and producer Adam McDaniel (Avey Tare, Angel Olsen). Hartley was forced to keep the guest list small out of the necessity of pandemic isolation, coupled with his move to a smaller city, all of which challenged him to do most of the album's heavy lifting right down to the mixing duties, resulting in the most independent effort of his career. By that measure, Moonshine is also the clearest image yet of Dave Hartley as a person and creator.
Released: July 2022
Cat: WV238
Label: Western Vinyl
01. Looking Up
02. Down Here
03. Stare Into the Sun
04. Greenway
05. Moonshine
06. With You
07. Blue Wave
08. No Kiss for the Lonely
09. Break My Bones
10. Song for Brad
UK shipping costs:
Second Class Shipping (up to 2kg*) - £3.50
First Class Shipping (up to 2kg) - £5.00
All Orders Above 2kg - £5.00
Second Class Under 500g (usually 7" and CD) - £2.50
First Class Under 500g (usually 7" and CD) - £3.00
*2kg can be on average anywhere between 3 - 5 LPs (or one large book). All orders up to 2kg are sent via Royal Mail. Orders above 2kg are sent via a tracked courier.
You can add insured delivery (recorded) to your order at the checkout for an additional £1.00