Moth‘s first song, “Hug Me Like a Bear” midwestern style indie rock was a surprise because it’s not commonly heard from South Korean bands. Following a single with a full length is a daunting decision. 13 songs, including the single, push the band into a spotlight where they both introduce and make a place for themselves.
Moth Is Real, and He Is My Boyfriend is a dense listen. Partially because of the band’s chosen sound, but also the layers within each song. But it’s clear that some songs work better than others. Two vocalists, three guitarists, bass, and drums mean that a lot is happening on each song.
“Late Night Call” opens the full length and the 4:21 length contains a song and a half. It’s a good introduction, but the outro is a little long. “Broken (Get Low)” is a garage indie rock song with vocals that both follow and dismiss the song’s overall melody. At times, it even sounds like the band loses track of what’s happening. Yet you still get attached to the song.
One of the best songs is “Birthday.” It presents a broader sound and the slower tempo lets you invest yourself in the music. I also think the entire band is working in the same direction. Another strong song is “Aplastic Sun.” This track goes into a deep alternative rock spiral and drags you down with it. It’s a constant waterfall of sound that’s both noise and precision.
After listening to Moth Is Real, and He Is My Boyfriend a few times, the song imbalance makes me think that the full length is two EPs shoved together and song narratives feel like they come from different time periods. An Jongmin is the main composer, with other members also writing songs either solo or with An. I think this is one reason why the full length is fragmented.
Personally, Lyoo Seungsoo’s written songs have the most stability. They have made the statement clear and understandable. The other songs sound like they’re reaching for this really high point without a solid foundation. The songs work, but they’re a little unstable.
Anyone can enjoy Moth Is Real, and He Is My Boyfriend. It’s a solid first full length from Moth. But it might have been too soon and the band would have been better off with two EPs of music.
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Written by Chris P for Korean Indie.