Exister

Description

Luis Vasquez, the man behind The Soft Moon, states that on his fifth and new album Exister, there are no two identical songs. It’s about existing as a human being and experiencing different moments throughout life. Hence the title, which evokes both the joyful moments and the lows that life can throw at us. This deeply personal album reflects the many life changes Vasquez experienced during its creation. He left Berlin and moved to Joshua Tree, California, to find some space, both musically and personally. He plays drums for the first time and unleashes a powerful vocal performance instead of the whispering characteristic of the first album. It’s a kind of musical reset for Vasquez, who came out of his previous album, Criminal, with some frustrations regarding the process and final result. Another aspect of this renewal was the hope of making amends for his difficult family situation since childhood, but the opposite occurred. Vasquez went through a rollercoaster of conflicts with his mother, exacerbated by the release from prison of his uncle after 40 years of incarceration. However, despite the pain, anger, and suffering found at the heart of the album, there is also a deep sense of hope and beauty that persists. This balance is essential for an artist like Vasquez, who sees the creative process as a form of healing. Sonically, this album is vast, expansive, and powerful. The opening track "Sad Song" unfolds in a dense and menacing atmosphere, while tracks like "The Pit" are at the opposite end of the musical spectrum, exploding like a thunderous industrial techno piece, with gut-wrenching bass levels. “Become the Lies" explores the devastating consequences of family lies. It’s a post-punk track that merges powerful bass lines, punchy drums, and serpentine guitars, all combining in an explosive manner. Elsewhere, the album traverses all genres, from ambient to dark wave - with fierce contributions from fish narc and Alli Logout of Special Interest on “Him” and “Unforgiven” - while maintaining the distinct tone that characterizes The Soft Moon. For fans of SUUNS, Boy Harsher, Drab Majesty, A Place to Bury Strangers.