Detailed Reviews [Daymoon - 2022 - "Erosion"]

Prolusion. Portuguese project Daymoon is the creative vehicle of composer and musician Fred Lessing, and since 2011 four studio productions have been released under the Daymoon moniker. "Erosion" is the name of the most recent of these albums, which was self released at the start of 2022.

Analysis. Daymoon have, to my memory, always revolved around a more accessible and easy to like variety of progressive rock, and that tendency does continue on this latest album "Erosion" as well. Being accessible doesn't mean that the music lacks any depth or variety however, nor that it lacks any challenging aspects. It is more of a matter of using elements within a context where the totality is accessible while there's a bit more to uncover and enjoy when having a closer listen. As with so many other albums I have encountered over the years, there is something Floydian about this album. The dark and at times melancholic passages with careful melodies flowing and the darker undercurrents a subtle contrast, with light and elegant motions and movements and occasional subtle dramatic features. Besides the flowing Floydian mood and presence we are treated to sections with perhaps more of an ambient orientation too, but also parts with more of a folk music flavoring or a pastoral approach explored. More dramatic and challenging details with more of a jazz-oriented sound appears on occasion too, and Americana and psychedelia find their way into these landscapes as well. And while probably accidental, one of the songs even had a bit of a post-punk vibe going at some point. A feature that most certainly has been planned are the symphonic tangents that appear now and then, further expanding and enriching the landscapes explored. This is an album that revolves around many longer songs that ebb and flow in sound, pace and intensity, and the longer songs here also explore the different variations more in depth as standalone features as well as different combinations. The shorter songs here tend to operate more as mood pieces and exploring landscapes of a more singular nature.

Conclusion. Over the years Daymoon has to my ears been a venture with many fine moments but with a few weak spots, with mix, production and vocals usually not being of the same quality as the compositions in my personal opinion. For this fourth Daymoon album most of these issues have been ironed out quite nicely, making the album experience a more enjoyable one for starters but also one with a potentially much broader reach as well. As with just about all other Daymoon albums, those who love and enjoy the Gilmour era of Pink Floyd strikes me as the audience that would find the charms of this production most appealing.

Progmessor: March 2022
The Rating Room