Song of the Day: Moon King - Appel

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Appel” by Moon King from the 2013 EP Obession II on One Big Silence.

Moon King - Appel (MP3)

Moon King is the shoegaze collaboration between 24-year-old Daniel Benjamin and his childhood friend Maddy Wilde. Daniel has been making his mark on the music scene for a while - both as the drummer for Grimes and helping out with his brother's band, Doldrums. Moon King released their debut EP, Obession I, just last July, but they've been performing live together long before that. The duo creates music with a bright and ethereal flair that sets them apart from other psychedelic bands. Spin describes their sound as "dream pop with fangs, packing their reverb-layered surfaces with punchy playing and swooning melodies." If that's what Moon King was going for on their new album, "Appel" fits the bill perfectly. Maddy's dream-like vocals are wrapped in a multifaceted sound of pulsating percussion, intense guitar, and sparkly synths. There are moments in the song where her voice really breaks through, which makes this track even more slick.

Last month, the band announced that they would be joining Majical Cloudz on their North American tour throughout the summer. On August 20, the tour will bring them to Seattle where they will perform at Barboza. Visit their Facebook page to stay updated on tour information and new music. Check out the official video "Only Child", a single off their previous album, here: