Stargazer (Moodring album)
| Stargazer | ||||
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| Studio album by Moodring | ||||
| Released | 10 June 2022[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label | ||||
| Producer | Hunter Young, Austin Coupe[1] | |||
| Moodring chronology | ||||
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| Moodring studio album chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Stargazer | ||||
Stargazer is the first studio album by American alternative metal band Moodring.
Themes and composition
[edit]Songs from the album were released as singles as early as January 2022, however the album itself was first announced in April.[9]
Lead vocalist Hunter Young states:
- "We were excited to explore deeper themes and different aspects of our band throughout the full length. The album dives into our pool of influences unabashedly but resurfaces as its own entity. Each song was written with personal meaning and multiple themes, whilst remaining ambiguous and open enough for listeners to relate in their own way."[1]
The song "Xeno (Foreign Love)" deals with breaking up a toxic relationship.[10]
"N.I.K.E", a reference to the song A.D.I.D.A.S. by Korn, concerns a conflict between two pastors attempting to cope with their attraction to each other, at odds with their religious teachings.[10] Young explains:
- "The lyrics are about fighting the taboos of dogma and judgement to love who you love and to be with the one you truly desire. After being forced into hiding for long enough, the characters in the song lose control. The tension has become too much to bear, coming together through what they've been taught is sin and blasphemy. But when they find each other all they feel is ecstasy."[11]
The album cover features a golden snake moving through rose petals, which is a reference to Young's pet snake David Michael Fassbender.[11] A spider ball python, such snakes suffer from a condition referred to as "spider wobble", resulting in a behaviour known as "stargazing".
An alternative metal album,[2] many tracks also incorporate elements of electronica.[5]
The release of the album was followed by a tour with Cane Hill, VCTMS and Afterlife.[3]
Reception
[edit]The album received generally very positive reviews.[2][12] Prelude Press states the album "flows effortlessly from one song to the next without ever feeling repetitive or tired, and by the time it comes to an end, you’ll find yourself dying to listen to it all over again".[13] Boolin Tunes states that it "cements itself as a debut to be proud of and one to return to time and time again".[14]
The sound of the album has seen comparisons to Deftones[2][4][12][14] and Glassjaw.[12][14]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "How to Leave Painlessly" | |
| 2. | "Disintegrate" | |
| 3. | "Constrict" | |
| 4. | "Red Light Gossip" | |
| 5. | "Peel" | |
| 6. | "Stargazer" | |
| 7. | "N.I.K.E" | |
| 8. | "SYNC.wav" | |
| 9. | "Head in the Clouds" | |
| 10. | "Novocaine Bones" | |
| 11. | "Xeno (Foreign Love)" |
Personnel
[edit]Moodring
- Hunter Young – vocals, guitar, production
- Kalan Adam – bass guitar
- Lindy Harter – drums, backing vocals
- Sean Dolich – guitar, backing vocals
Additional personnel
- Austin Coupe – production, engeneering, mixing, mastering
- Steven Wang – photography
- Tim Minarzik – artwork
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Slominski, Laura (24 May 2022). "MOODRING shine with dazzling duality on upcoming debut album Stargazer". Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Moodring – 'Stargazer'". www.punktastic.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Moodring // Stargazer // EP Review". R o c k 'N' L o a d. 10 June 2022. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Moodring – Stargazer". 7 June 2022. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ a b Fisher, Carl (7 June 2022). "Album Review: Moodring - Stargazer (UNFD)". Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ Gonda, Christopher (20 January 2022). "Moodring Will "Disintegrate" Speakers with Their Latest Single/Video". Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ Weaver, James (20 March 2022). "Moodring release new music video for 'Constrict'". Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Moodring Premiere 'Sync.wav' Video". www.antimusic.com. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ Weaver, James (28 April 2022). "Moodring announce debut album 'Stargazer'". Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Moodring - Stargazer (album review ) | Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ a b Staff Writer. "Moodring strap their sneakers on with new single/video N.I.K.E." killyourstereo.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ a b c Dimond, Kyle (7 June 2022). "ALBUM REVIEW: Stargazer - Moodring". Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Moodring Stargazer Review". 10 June 2022. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ a b c U, Mem (6 June 2022). "ALBUM REVIEW: Moodring - Stargazer". Archived from the original on 14 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.