Album Review: The Big Moon – Walking Like We Do
The Big Moon – Walking Like We Do
Words by Gary Lambert
There are times when my lack of technical knowledge regarding music annoys and infuriates me when trying to write a review, but I’m quite happy today to not be able to tell you about time signatures, chord structures et al. The reason for my happiness is I’ve listened to the sophomore album of The Big Moon, Walking Like We Do, and it is a piece of music which should not be broken down like an IKEA flat pack. What we have in our hands is an album of beautiful, elegant, graceful pop music which has filled me with hope for the rest of 2020 and possibly the decade. How could anything bad happen when the first new album of the decade (for me) is so perfect?
It probably will not ring true for you, but opening track It’s Easy Then makes me think of the legendary work of Carole King in how effortless the lyrics flow over the uplifting but not quite summary keyboard playing. It grabs your attention and generates fresh excitement immediately whilst simultaneously make you feel like you have been listening to It’s Easy Then all your life.
The greatest compliment I can give to Walking Like We Do is that previously released single Your Light does not stand out on the long player. Your Light is a pretty much perfect pop song which I’ve had the last four months to fall in love with over and over, and it is still magnificent. But when it is followed by Dog Eat Dog’s mix of delicate musicianship and choral harmonies, it’s like visiting The Louvre and seeing the Mona Lisa straight after you’ve seen the Venus de Milo or Death of the Virgin. They’re still awe-inspiring pieces of work, but there is not a champion.
There is no room for fading away as Walking Like We Do finishes with a hat trick of beauties. Barcelona, A Hundred Ways To Land (where the album title comes from), and then ADHD all show off how The Big Moon have created an epic pop album. Undulating and perfectly produced and written to showcase the talents of this four-piece who should be celebrated by everybody who loves music.
How good is Walking Like We Do? It’s even better than I’ve made it out to be as I don’t feel like my words could do it justice. Since this was released I’ve put off writing the review several times in order to have “one more listen”, I have sent it to friends, acquaintances, and even ex-colleagues who I know will love it, and I’ve fallen in love with this album completely. There are instruments, voices, and silences on this record (for you technical fans), and rarely have they been combined to such mountainous brilliance.
Listen to Walking Like We Do here
