A Darkwave Soundtrack for a Lunar Eclipse in Redder Moon’s “Hell Is Other People”

The slow, moody tempo serves a melancholy mood steeped in cynicism…the result of life in the 2020s. (“We’re like dominoes in slow motion” and “…wasn’t he into those filtered internet girls?”)

Isolated in their home recording rooms, the trio of Jeremiah James Gonzales, Brody Lowe, and Jill McKeever sent digital audio tracks back and forth, finding a crazed workflow of creative refugee and catharsis. “The moon becomes more red on the lunar eclipse, and this inspires our living soundtrack,” says the band. Opening with the eerie chants of “Cry Wolf”, the album slithers into the acerbic title track, a moody synth-laden number made for aggressive driving.  Jill happened to track the vocals during the insurrection on Jan 6th, and this Sartre quote became the title of the finished album.

“It Should Have Been A Sign” is a gloriously-sung lamentation, McKeever’s voice reaching somewhere in the realm of Debbie Harry.

“Dominoes In Slow Motion” opens with a synth reminiscent of Angelo Badalamenti’s work for Twin Peaks, with McKeever channeling the ethereal Julee Cruise. “Internet Girls” kicks up the tempo, railing against the vapidity of Instagram thirst traps.

“Elena” keeps it going with a lurching dance beat, slowing down even further to a sleepy atmospheric lullaby with “If The Mountain Doesn’t Want You”. The album closes out with the soporific, philosophical “An Apology”,