‘Forgiveness Juice’, the new EP from April Moon, confirms them as champions of the alt-country scene in the UK. What has come to be termed Americana is splashed right across their music. Rockier elements filtering through from time to time. They evoke the old school classics whilst putting a contemporary spin on things. It is, to all intents and purposes, roots music for the present day.
Opening track ‘Long May We Roam’ is emblematic of this mix. With drumstick beats lead by a banjo and electric guitar riffs seeping through, the stripped back joins with the techno to create a track that is joyous in both its sound and subject. April Moon chasing a life of simplicity in their campervan which echoes “the dreamer [who] looks around and longs / [and] wanderer he sails beyond” of the chorus.
‘Part of the Game’ pushes into the fluid borders of Folk. Drawing on the fiddle for old-time swing but a Paul Heaton-esque vocal to ensure the focus remains firmly on the lyrics. Such intent serves them well, especially when it comes to ‘Echoville’. The poetic words by the late Edmund Hudson combining beautifully with Jason’s raspy vocal to create a real sense of place.
April Moon are never too far away from what they term “homespun warmth and charm”. This is epitomised in the delightful neotraditional country tune ‘Uptown Lady Life’. It becomes, in the context of this EP, another example of their musical breadth, partnering with ‘Second Guess’ to showcase their penchant for the old and new. The latter is much more modernist in its Country flavour. With elements of rock mixed into a polished production that feels more mainstream than the songs that have gone before.
They play with this notion on the final track. Taking a ‘90s classic and spinning it through the wheel of Country to create a much darker thread to its subject matter. ‘I Want It That Way’ becomes almost unrecognisable amongst the deep riffs and baritone vocal. But I guess that’s the point. April Moon doing what they do best: playfully subverting through the Americana form.
You can purchase ‘Forgiveness Juice’ here, or stream via Spotify.
Featured Image (C) April Moon
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