Charming noise-pop revivalists Moon Tides play it safe on their debut, but don’t let down jangly mope purists. Over the blissful 22-minutes of As Loud as the Sun, vibes are chill and production is warmly inviting. It’s nothing you’ve never heard before but also isn’t as cloying as the growing list of bedroom duos creating the throwback sounds these days. Opening tracks “To Be” and “Swimming” are basically The Raveonettes with a low(er) budget. Buzzing guitar melodies starkly play lines around the surfy drum machine and sweet boy/girl vocals. The latter track beats out the former with moments of Beat Happening’s dumb brilliance and brainless appeal. “No Time” amps up the romance with a laid back beat and emotive sentiment worthy of Captured Tracks’ Beach Fossils or Wild Nothing.
Any fan of glum, lo-fi pop should definitely check Moon Tides out, or at least check in on them every few months or so. Certainly a great tape to have in your car’s tape deck this summer.
