ALBUM REVIEW: What’s The Rush? – Cold Moon

Released at a time where the perfect spring weather reflects the mood of the music, the debut album What’s The Rush? from Northern Californian chilled crew COLD MOON is definitely a record to soundtrack the sunsets and hazy days to come.

Recorded over a period of fourteen months, What’s The Rush? is a record that feels like time has been taken in formulating these songs properly. It is clearly the work of a group of people who love to write and craft songs together, and generally spend time with one-another. COLD MOON live by the idea that they are a group of friends who spend time doing activities that they enjoy, and that lifestyle choice has made it’s way onto the record. Even though the tone of the record could be seen as melancholic upon a casual listen, upon deeper listening there is a joy running through this album that can only be produced by those who clearly love what they are doing. 

Opening song Access Control sets the tone for the record, setting a tone of calm and authenticity. The harmonies sung by the band blend together warmly as the band sing of building their home away from home. Simpleton ups the pace, with excellent lead guitar lines acting as a fine counter melody to the vocals. Lost contains one of the best choruses on the record, showcasing COLD MOON‘s excellent ear for a memorable melody, alongside the excellent bridge section of the song, which will see crowds singing both the main melody and the accompaniment.

Frontage opens with an exquisite melody on guitar, building up the songs texture to a full and warming sound, evoking an image of hazy sunlight through the trees, whilst Precognition takes the listener on a real journey, towards vocalist Jack Sullivan‘s‘…place where I feel born and raised’. Previously released single Gold Lake paints a scene of pure positive energy, a track to soundtrack lake swimming and beers by a campfire. High Mind begins with a piece of studio material, where the band members can be heard laughing, before giving way to sublime track musing on love, featuring more excellent guitar work in the musical texture, and a strong understanding of dynamics within the song. The pace is slowed in Nu, a tune that musically shimmers, describing the process of change over the years. Di rounds off the album, bringing matters to a sublime and relaxed close, portraying the relationship between two people. A track written for early morning listening.

For those who are into the haziness of a group such as TURNOVER, this is an album for you. The musicality across What’s The Rush? is so strong, with every musical gesture feeling thought out and cared about. A record to soundtrack either solo walks in the woods or around a campfire with friends.

Rating: 8/10 

What’s The Rush? is out now via Pure Noise Records. 

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