Song of the Day: Moon Duo - Creepin'

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unrealeased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Creepin” by Moon Duo from their 2017 LP, Occult Architecture Vol. 1, on Sacred Bones Records.

Moon Duo - Creepin' (MP3)The sound of mind-altering guitar drone should be of no surprise to fans of Moon Duo. The now Portland-based group's fourth album to date, the double volume Occult Architecture, is thematically defined by its dualities. Inspired by the record's double structure (the second volume will be released later this year), Occult Architecture finds the band exploring nature's "invisible structures" (according to the Sacred Bones website), such as day and night, light and dark, and the journey between seasons. This first volume of Occult Architecture emphasizes the darker elements of Moon Duo's sound, droning synths and guitar punctuated by moments of beauty or momentary peace.

These contrasts are immediately evident on album highlight, and today's featured song, "Creepin'," which is anchored by repeated guitar/synth interplay between Ripley Johnson and Sanae Yamada. Similarly, Johnson and Yamada's voices mix together to mirror the juxtapositions between instruments, the track building to a surprisingly bright chorus, adding a moment of respite from the winter darkness.

Moon Duo will be playing at Seattle's Sunset Tavern on March 3rd, as part of a lengthy tour which includes European dates. They will also be live on KEXP on March 3rd, at 1:30 PM. For more information, check out the band's website and Facebook page. In the meantime, check out their recent video for "Cold Fear", another song from the new LP: