"White Hot Moon" - Pity Sex [Official Full Album Stream + Zumic Review]

Ann Arbor shoegaze quartet Pity Sex released their vibey new album, White Hot Moon, containing 12 songs and running for 39 minutes. Listen above on the YouTube playlist.

This is the band's second full length, and follow up to their breakthrough 2013 LP, Feast Of Love. While White Hot Moon shares the same elements of low-fi, fuzzy melodies, it sounds more mature and collected, since the album was more of a collaborative effort. Drummer Sean St. Charles spoke with Interview Magazine about Pity Sex's progression between the two records:

I think it's a matter of approaching the music with more confidence. We've all retained a level-headedness when it comes to how we approach music, because we all went to college and heave career paths in mind. Playing music has always been something we've done because we like it, not something we do because we're desperate for a career in it. Over time it becomes second nature, and I think that's reflected in the songs. They're more dynamic because it comes together more naturally. That's true for writing and definitely true for recording. We were so familiar with how to record with Will Yip, who produces our records, that we didn't have to think about it. We just think about how the songs work.

White Hot Moon gives off a summer vibe, with tracks like "September" and "Dandelion" that feature breezy guitar riffs, laid back beats, and hazy vocals. "What Might Soothe You?" picks things up with a heavy bass line and aggressive drums.

One of the highlights of the album is the sorrowful "Plum," led by vocalist Brittany Drake's soothing voice over mellow guitars that build up. Brittany explained it's meaning on The Bandcamp Blog:

"Plum" stands out to me for obvious reasons, so I won’t spend too many words explaining the sentiment behind it. It’s a song I’ve wanted to write for a long time. I waited because It needed to be perfect. It needed to convey the sinking feeling of seeing the plums my dad bought for my mom still sitting on the kitchen counter after we returned home from her funeral. I wanted to translate that hyperspecific moment into a broadly understood feeling. Once I decided this would be that song, it didn’t take long to complete it.

Although White Hot Moon is a sensational album, some tracks are not quite as strong as others and it is a bit lengthy. Most Pity Sex songs average around 2-3 minutes and some on this LP are over 4. Overall, White Hot Moon is a good listen, and shows Pity Sex keeping the shoegaze genre alive and fresh for a new generation.

Songs we recommend are "Burden You," "Bonhomie," "September," "What Might Soothe You?," "Plum," and "Dandelion."

Pick up White Hot Moon on Amazon. You can also stream it for free on Spotify.

For Pity Sex's latest music, news, and tour dates, check out their Zumic artist page.