Moon.74 - Newborn

Moon.74 is actually Dominic Hein’s project, as he ‘s given shape to “Newborn” all by himself.

The Depeche Mode influences are more than apparent throughout the album; however, in no case does he copy them; he tries to create, with his own material, a quite remarkable debut. Naturally enough though, when a single person is in charge of a whole album, it is impossible for it not to lack at points: concerning “Newborn”, the weakness is spotted at the vocals that, at some songs, come monotonous, expressionless: in other words, Hein’s performance on vocal duties is “colorless”. I would say that in this specific field, he has yet a long way to go, and I certainly hope that he will pleasantly belie us by his future releases.

As far as regarding the lyrics, those are charged with quite the portion of romanticism, nostalgia, but also of truth, with some of his life experiences maybe functioning as an inspirational source. The album’s second composition stood out, “The Day you Disappear”, a great song, full of melancholy, musically adept, and with Dom’s voice totally fitting in the track’s aesthetics. It’s the album’s most accurate composition for me, as it is in absolute correlation with what the composer has in mind and wills to convey to the audience. In “We are”, the approach turns quite more “dancy” without straying from the melancholy that runs this album in whole. Another composition, in which Dom experiments with a welcomed outcome, is “dirty Mind”. In “Oblivion” the tempo slows down, the tune sounds velvet, the singing however, is monotonous and actually distracts the listener. Same goes for “Stealing Horse”: yet again, an exceptional musical creation led by “colorless” vocals. During “Moonlanding”, the distortion is on fire, the sound is harsh, the rhythm can only elevate the listener, the singing flirts with perfection: all in all, an amazing song (maybe he should experiment with this particular sound/ formula a bit more). Finally, the homonymous one, “Newborn”, is a ballad balanced at all parts, and with the melancholy that Dom’s voice extracts, a wonderful ambience is given flesh and bones.

Summarizing, “Newborn” is an overall promising debut, in which the only drawback is spotted in Dominic’s performing on vocals, an issue not constantly occurring during the album. One should not expect from a single person to be adept in all fields. This album will certainly start concentrating a fanbase, which will be broadened, if Dominic pays the attention required regarding the details, in the releases to follow.

tracklist:
Gun
The Day You Disappear
It Is Hurting Me
Strange Convention
We Are
Into My Arms
Dirty Mind
Oblivion
Stalking Horse
Moonlanding
Breath
Newborn
Lost

7.5/10 Kostas Sotiriou