Brinley Hineman // Contributing writer
With the Oct. 2 release of their fourth album, Daybreaker, the Nashville-formed band, Moon Taxi, has come a long way from playing house party shows. They’ve traded their fraternity party performances in favor of sold-out concert venues. Coming up on their tenth year of performing together, Moon Taxi’s newest collection of tunes could very easily become their breakthrough album.
With only three previous albums, Moon Taxi has formed a solid following. With each new performance, the five-piece band establishes more and more of their prowess, gaining bigger and bigger gigs. This past summer, the group performed at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, and drew their largest crowd to date.
Even with their fame, the group still pays homage to their hometown by performing at local venues regularly and never failing to deliver an evening of soulful, original songs to their dedicated listeners.
As a Moon Taxi fan, the anticipation of their new album had been a long awaited affair since the band announced the release in July. Finally, after months of waiting, the day finally arrived, and I was not disappointed in the slightest.
From their beachy, laidback tunes to their get-up-and-dance grooves, this 11-track album is sure to impress. Fans of their previous albums will find their new songs to be reminiscent of those from Mountains Beaches Cities.
Daybreaker hones in on the idea of love, both lost and found, through heartfelt, romantic songs and lyrics. The album starts off on a high-note with “Year Zero,” a tune that offers a little rock ‘n’ roll to the album.
This genuine piece of work gives listeners an insight to those experiencing heartbreak or questioning love, specifically with the album’s sixth track “Make Your Mind Up” with lyrics like “I can’t read between your lines, I’m staring at you and losing sight.”
It’s the type of soulful line that sticks with you even after you’ve turned the music off.
The album ends with my personal favorite, an acoustic piece entitled “Rooftops.” Singing of an unforgettable night with an irreplaceable person, this tune is one that makes you want to fall in love, either for the first time or all over again.
Daybreaker is one fantastic track after another, leaving fans more than satisfied with the their newest collection of songs. If you haven’t yet, be sure to listen to it on Spotify or purchase the complete album on iTunes.
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To contact Lifestyles editor Rhiannon Gilbert email lifestyles@mtsusidelines.com