Based in Buckinghamshire and London, England, Luna Sees is made up of a trio of friends that have been playing together in various forms since the late 1990s. Comprising drummer and guitarist Mark Campbell, vocalist Amy White and keyboardist, vocalist and percussionist Jo Warren, Luna Sees spent “several years writing material, performing at open mic nights, recording demos, drinking tea and eating cake.” The global pandemic meant they were unable to meet up in person or perform live and they decided to focus their energies on crafting an album. The Darkness and The Light was released on 24th April 2024 (24/04/24 - a full moon).
With a track listing stylised as Side A and Side B, The Darkness and the Light reflects the band’s love of vinyl and the range of human emotions and experiences, highlighting their contrasting dualities. Each “side” is made up of four tracks, separated by an intermission – Dulce Domum. Side A begins with Aphasia Majora in which the opening moments are reminiscent of Welcome To The Machine by Pink Floyd with reverberating synths and a glorious Gilmour-esque chord from Mark Campbell. As the beautifully ethereal track develops, it features some exquisite vocalisations by Amy White and Jo Warren - but no actual lyrics. Aphasia is a disorder that effects communication and the track explores the struggle for words and meaning when you want to tell someone how you feel but cannot express yourself. Steadily paced, ambient and hypnotic, Aphasia Majora is the sign of a band unafraid to ask for the full attention of listeners from the outset. Campbell’s guitar motifs drive the song forwards as the vocals eddy and swirl around the background synths. It is a captivating beginning.
My Own Little Hell adopts a more sinister, darker approach. Delving into themes of mental health struggles, depression and being trapped in one’s own mind, the lyrics suggest a sense of being stuck in a place that is inaccessible (both physically and emotionally), the feeling of losing control and the frustration of treatment that can feel as burdensome as the condition. In a hole out of reach / In the doldrums again / In my eyes, things are black and white / I haven’t slept in days / My mind is gone / Just take the pills that make you ill. Based on Campbell’s diary notes during depressive episodes in the early 2000s, My Own Little Hell’s turmoil is expressed as much through the musical maelstrom that develops as through the deeply personal lyrics. While not as musically belligerent, there is something approaching a grunge like feel to the mood as the track builds. As the imagery deepens the protagonist’s sense of isolation, distant agonised screams and wolf-like howls compound the torment while Mark Campbell’s guitar paints a desolate picture with some soaring, twisted solos. During the last moments of the track, drums, guitar, synths and vocals coalesce discordantly until the release of the final notes sound.
Addressing a similar topic but visiting different musical territories, Under House Arrest is a deceptively simple piano and acoustic guitar driven song – some of the opening chords again redolent of David Gilmour. With every passing note, the vocals ensnare the listener a little more and we are drawn into the cut off world of the protagonist, living each emotion with them. Luna Sees have an innate ability to use mysteriously alluring and elegantly melancholic music to weave sombre narratives. Face down in my pillow / I feel the warmth of my breath / I need some time alone Under house arrest. As Under House Arrest segues into Circles, which examines the cyclical patterns of destructive thoughts, we fall a little deeper into the abyss. Heard what you’ve said time and time again / So what if I don’t agree? / Does that mean I lose my best friend? Stunningly gorgeous but shadowlike vocals permeate the track in strikingly enchanting fashion as thoughtful use of sparkling synths and piano add small but perfect details to the atmosphere. Delightful harmonies abound and as the first side draws to a close, Luna Sees leave us in no doubt of their wonderful unity as a trio.
As the final notes of Circles disperse, short “intermission” Dulce Domum (Latin for Sweetly Homeward) brings the first feelings of comfort to the album - Campbell’s purring cats belying the profound darkness that has gone before. However, this is short lived as distant gunfire shatters the calm and we are left to wonder how these contrasting sounds might reflect our own existence.
While the first song of Side B – Dreamcatcher – addresses losing ‘the one,’ there is an increased sense of positivity in the music. Major chords, hand claps and a bright, airy vocal from Amy White all combine to show that while the track might deal in lost love, there is also a sense of joyful remembrance in what once was. Campbell’s guitar work adds effervescent colour to the track and at times brings to mind the guitar tones that Steve Rothery of Marillion has employed in recent years.
Brave New World jumps into life from the first moments as the most upbeat song of the album so far begins. Encouraging us to be courageous in the face of adversity, its effervescent optimism is enthralling in the wake of the prior gloom. Each change is a positive step / Open your mind, embrace the unknown / Be weightless, be in wonder / Just need to believe / Open your heart / Be who you want to be. Fireworks (recorded last New Year) resound in celebration as Brave New World gives way to Wondering Why. Introspective and poignant, Wondering Why dives into the human experience of searching for meaning and the longing for connection and belonging. While conveying some existential doubt, ultimately the song brings hope for a better, more fulfilling future. More pleasant harmonies, evocative of The Cranberries and similar bands, pervade Wondering Why while the gently, lulling aura leaves the listener contemplating their own search for happiness.
Final track I See You returns to murkier themes but this time, the protagonist is ready for a fight. Opening with ominous synths and an utterly spellbinding guitar solo from Campbell, Luna Sees present an atmosphere of confrontation and boldness. Eerie vocalisations combine with the instrumentation in one of the most riveting parts of the album, until the lyrics – sung by Campbell – begin. I see you / I see right through you / You’re out of your depth / In over your head / An incompetent fatuous fool / I will call out / Corrupt, thug cosplaying as a clown / Gaslighting, cheating, ideological bully / Always punching down. Morse code spells out Luna Sees The Darkness and the Light adding a sinister sense of urgency. A call to action against injustice, it is a powerful protest condemning corruption and abuse of power both musically and lyrically. For a track that developed out of an impromptu jam – the keyboard part on the album comes from the original demo – it more than delivers as a defiant end to the album.
“Hidden” track cake is a light-hearted addition from a jam session that displays the band’s lighter side and their obvious comfort with each other.
The Darkness and The Light traverses a range of genres including alternative, pop rock, folk and progressive rock and explores a rich vein of emotions: love, loss, pain, joy, depression, recovery, hopes and fears. With excellent instrumentation, solid production values – it was recorded entirely in Mark’s home studio The Cavern - compelling vocals and relatable lyrics, The Darkness and The Light is an album that fans of Pink Floyd, Marillion, Fleetwood Mac, All About Eve and Nine Stones Close (amongst others) would enjoy. An album that reveals more layers with each listen, it is a befitting testament to the long process that Luna Sees have completed to reach this point. Float on the Luna See…
The Darkness and The Light is out now and can be steamed / purchased on bandcamp.
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