Tag: Flying Saucer Attack

Loic Moonmattress sets the scene in subtle and power fashion at the beginning of “Sleepless in Eugene.” The sound of soft white noise like a breeze, warping tones like springs and strings being stretched beyond their bounds and then elegant guitar and the vocalist speaking words of contemplation of the moment and reflecting on the day prior. Gently strummed guitar accenting the lines over piano. Drones incandesce and fade. The lyrics weave a gorgeous and deeply thoughtful and observant narrative that vividly expresses emotional moments that sit well in the music. It leaves the impression of thoughts sketched out in a late night lounge but one where the regular customers are all gone and outside is the gentle splashing of the seashore, meditative and soothing. You have the place to yourself and the resonant space upon which to cast your thoughts and music. The words are spoken in measured passages that play well with the length of the meters so that the expression of the thoughts have an intuitive aspect to the way the poetry plays out, a fusion of prose and more structure poetic forms. It seems to be a love song to someone with whom one has a powerful, unique and creative connection but with none of the hackneyed conceits of other songs that might be similarly characterized. In combining concrete imagery of life and the world with existential observations the artist in this particular format with the deep mood music and informal, organic rhythms he invites the listener in to the intimate thoughts that speak to how it’s important to hold on to these moments of freedom from the rush and press of the world as usual and to hold onto the people who can share in similar dreams and sensibilities, who value a gentleness and vulnerability of spirit as it opens one up to the often hidden details of the world and the essence of humanity in others which is a key to living an enriching emotional life. It’s the kind of song that with repeated listens you pick up on an incredibly poignant turn of phrase that makes the whole piece resonant even more strongly. Is this an ambient song? Hip-hop? Cosmic, folk-jazz shoegaze? Whatever it is the song commands taking it in on its own terms. Fans of Shabazz Palaces and Flying Saucer Attack will truly appreciate what Loic Mooonmattress has crafted here. Listen to “Sleepless in Eugene” on Spotify and follow Loic Moonmattress on Instagram.