From the Isle of Man comes a magnum opus of sounds that are bold in their moderness, yet familiarly steeped in the traditions of Post-punk and Synth-pop. And they call themselves Marke E. Moon. Having unveiled their latest masterpiece in March of 2024, the songs on "Resist" find themselves seemingly permanently lodged into my regular rotations. Taking inspiration from bands like Depeche Mode and Ultravox, and even Wolfsheim, "Resist" plays out like a glimmering, darkly dancing discotheque. Themes of love and loss, grief, and all the darkness in between, juxtaposes the vibrant synths and soaring vocals. The bass and percussion beat a tattoo that will make you move, or march along to a funeral dirge. Opening track, "Daemons" kicks off with an ungodly shriek before jumping right into the most infectious groove. Further into the album, "Closure" displays the band's ability to craft a song that will get even the most fussy crowds dancing along like they would to a track from The Pet Shop Boys. More so, "Closure" shows us in full effect the masterful juxtaposition of dark against light; the composition is upbeat, yet the lyrical themes of heartache tell a much different story. "The Signal and The Noise" brings out some classical goth influences, recalling Red Lorry Yellow Lorry at their very best. Jangling guitars accompany staccato basslines and brooding baritone vocals are all present, reminding us of what we love so much about the genre. Closing out almost a whole hour of music is "See Me" provides an incredibly satisfying closure to an intense musical journey, with airy synths and atmospheres as cold as the breezes of the British shores. "Resist" is, without a doubt, a top contender for album of the year, and is quite possibly Mark E. Moon's finest work to date.
Standout Tracks: "Daemons", "The Signal and The Noise", and "See Me"
