Louis Vasquez would have been a great partner though. The sole member of The Soft Moon produces a post-punk sound that falls somewhere between Twin Shadow’s synth-aided bleakness and Editors’ shimmering riffs. The Soft Moon is arguably more atmospheric than either though, as Vasquez stays away from conventional vocal techniques within a fairly straightforward interpretation of post-punk rhythms, guitar progressions, and whirring synths. The mood is usually anxious and dark, with one of the standouts on the debut full-length The Soft Moon – “When It’s Over” – showcasing that perfectly. Vasquez does not have a domineering voice like Lewis or Editors’ Tom Smith, but he certainly maximizes his strengths to pave way for innovation that surpasses both. “When It’s Over” begins with a flickering guitar tremolo and muted snare every half-note, with Vasquez’s voice slowly becoming involved with a melodic moan. The moan grows to primarily indistinguishable lyrics propelled by a whisper, and this strategy pays off rewardingly when the droning cries of synths dominate the last one-third. Post-punk is contained in the rhythm section as the song explores areas of post-rock. Efforts like these are usually too daunting for post-punk revivalists, but Vasquez clearly has the tools to incorporate other nostalgic genres as well. [Source]
New Music United 