Candy Riot’s debut album ‘MOONSTAR’ is slated to release at the end of this month. They’re a four piece synth-rock group hailing from Austin, Texas, and their new album channels the greats of 80s synth royalty. Everything from Gary Numan to Depeche Mode is matched to Candy Riot’s own colourful and dreamy soundscape on their new release, a review of which can be found at the bottom of this page. The band were kind enough to share their thoughts on a few questions surrounding the album’s recording and release.
How did the writing and recording of Moonstar go? Were there any challenges or new lessons learned?
We wake up with the hope of remembering a dream for long enough to write down what went down. Then we’ll video call to write lyrics and take them to the piano. In the studio, we’ll plug in, twist knobs, and create musical sketches until we land on what feels right. The uncertainty of Covid times certainly challenged the recording and rehearsal sessions, but we found creative ways of using technology and communication to still create & release our musical art.
Moonstar very clearly wears its retro influences on its sleeve, how do you guys view modern pop culture’s current obsession with the past?
Is modern pop culture currently obsessed with the past? It feels like the obsession is with social media platforms and the duality of in-person and online realities. Candy Riot digs 80’s music because it controls our heart rate more than other genres, plus it’s easy to sing along and dance to.
Were there any external factors that influenced the lyrics and concepts of Moonstar?
Music is a powerful artform that shapes our culture. Most of our best memories involve music and our songwriting has been based on life experiences. On ‘Moonstar’ we share songs about catching feelings, considering monogamy, hot sex in a trailer park, getting fucked over, losing a loved one, resisting society’s expectations of what one is “supposed” to do with their life, getting fucked over (again), not fitting in, losing friends to conspiracies and cults, and a near-death experience. Devastating and joyful emotions are a common thread with the human experience. Plus, it’s fun AF to make synth music.
Austin, Texas is often seen as a hotbed for American roots and psychedelic artists, how does your home city’s musical fame influence your own music in comparison?
This city is also a “choose your own adventure” with a dozen genres beating each night. Playing synth rock can pose unique challenges in booking and finding band members because it’s off the beaten path for Austin, which is heavy on blues rock, roots, and psych rock. But there is a synth-based sub culture here that’s strong and growing!
What does Candy Riot plan to do after the release of their debut album?
We try not to die, so… let’s start there. We want to write and release an album a year until we die, in whatever form or permutation of the band that looks like. The last two years were rough, but we’re grateful for where we are and that we have each other. We make pretty songs about ugly situations, and we aspire to play big, memorable live show experiences with packed dance floors and positive human energy. Ultimately, we’d love to play SXSW, Lollapalooza, ACL and Coachella in 2023.
MOONSTAR Album Review
Candy Riot’s debut album, MOONSTAR, is a fun and danceable throwback to the classics of 80s synth pop. The band shows incredible versatility in their dedication to the craft, which glimmers through the album’s immaculate production. Vibrant synths and stabbing guitars make for a dancefloor-friendly sound, whilst the lyrical content provides a sense of tangible hurt and relatability. MOONSTAR is the emotional soundtrack to a lonely night out in a neon-lit cityscape.
The band shows they can still utilise fun and poppy inflections on less colourfully toned tracks such as “Prosper Park”, which kicks off the album with its reverb-drenched take on social woes and paranoia. Many of the lyrics on MOONSTAR centre around everyday experiences and troubles with others. Whether these experiences are positive or negative, Candy Riot’s danceable delivery still manages to shine through.
Leading single “Only You” gives the band’s sound some breathing room with some unobtrusively cutting guitar inflections that go well against the band’s vibrant synths. Vocals also take a page from Bowie’s book, with emotionally charged melodies that soar over the production. The track is a perfect example of Candy Riot’s dedication to colourful synthpop music that doesn’t shy away from it’s emotions and vehemently respects it’s ancestors.
Paying homage to the past doesn’t stop there for Candy Riot. The band provides winks and nods to all their synthpop influences. The slower, driving rhythm of Parallel Lines gives a wonderful nod to the paranoia-induced electronicism of Gary Numan, whilst also providing some pace to the album’s focus of dance rhythms. “Rosie” also provides some much needed love to synth pioneers Kraftwerk with its ascending and descending synth melody.
Candy Riot doesn’t want us to kiss the 80s away just yet. Their debut is a vibrant throwback to the most influential of the decade’s synthpop, one which props its lyrical hardships and pleasures through a focus on tight rhythms and glimmering production. Especially recommended for fans of Gary Numan, Depeche Mode and New Order.
