About two months back, I stumbled upon a quaint YouTube single called ‘Leave it up to chance’. With a quirky looking aesthetic and an equally dishevelled pair of characters starring, it seemed like a fairly innocuous and unassuming track. But, much to my pleasure, I was greeted with a track that was loaded to the brim with soul, funk, and style. Alexnder Luna is a trailblazer. He’s naturally suave, with a swagger and bravado that is ingrained into the music he makes. The SoCal native has been working hard the past 2 years crafting the sequel EP to his “Night Moves” series. Throughout the projects, the audience follows a down on his luck character on his journey to find a lost friend.
In terms of genre, ‘Night Moves 2’ is definitively eclectic. Although electronic indie pop is the dominant style, elements of hip-hop, pop, and disco also add freshness and dimensions to the album. Starting with ‘WHAT’S THE MOVE’, an infectious guitar beat reels you in with an injection of funky soul. Luna’s production style is unrivalled in the modern trip-hop sphere. He’s truly a trailblazer that’s making music that’s effortlessly catchy and immediately engaging. Both with more traditional guitar and drums as well as electronic soundbytes, he combines them to create rivetingly exciting singles. ‘BIG STUNNA’ follows a similar style to the intro song, largely guitar dominant and instrumental.
But on Drama, Notkyle’s feature, an almost Chris Brown sounding vocal performance, add an r&b element to the project. It’s a smooth and engrossing mid section that mellows the album before the rodeo that is LEAVE IT UP TO CHANCE hits. I could rave on and on about that track but you have to hear it to believe it, it’s simply one of the smoothest and most fun pieces of trip-hop I’ve heard. The closing track ‘Frozen’ is a much more standard piece of electro pop featuring Blutori. The more down tempo piece serves as an ideal finisher.
Alexnder Luna is a master of creating effortlessly exciting and relaxing beats all at once. Don’t sleep on NIGHT MOVES 2, it’s got some of the best production you’re going to here.
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