Dotsun Moon – Never Had a Heart
Buffalo’s Dotsun Moon, led by Richard Flierl’s evolving musical vision, returns with a melancholic and melodic new single, “Never Had a Heart,” which is short for “Heaven never had a heart like yours.” According to Flierl, the song was inspired by the music that first lit his creative spark, and that impact can be heard in every line.The music begins with colorful guitar sounds a reminder of Echo and the Bunnymen and Psychedelic Furs, driven by a powerful and melodic New Order-style bass line. The production has a dark pop vibe, with reverbed vocals that move across the mix like fog on a late-night street. Behind them, ethereal synths create a dreamy, sad haze, adding meaning and dimension. What makes “Never Had a Heart” so attractive is its emotional contrast. The words are sad, while the music is dynamic and uplifting, producing a powerful contrast that is cathartic. It’s a sound that pays respects towards the best of 1980s new wave while remaining original in how it is performed. An interesting moment happens at 2:33, when the music slows down and “breathes in,” allowing the listener to connect with the melancholic atmosphere. The groovy bass and reverbed guitar then come back rebuilding the melodic darkness that opened the song and bringing it to an interesting and satisfying conclusion. “Never Had a Heart” is a beautiful antithesis: dark but (musically) bright, lonely but emotionally open.
Photo Credit: Dotsun Moon – photo by Meredith Snow
http://dotsunmoon.bandcamp.com/
