Poignantly released in the wake of the new moon in Pisces, Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard open A New Moon with textured claps, a brief ad-lib, and a dimensional guitar soundscape as Joseph shares the lyrics, “I feel on top of the world on another hemisphere, just drifting away on a breeze to anywhere, I’ve been down, I’ve been up, been chasing my own damn luck…”
We immediately connect with the relatable authenticity of the prose, and the captivating timbre as well as the sublime astral guitar performances and cohesive tapestry of sound that manifests. The track has a cinematic allure and is laced with poetic prowess. The story unfolds from confusion toward acceptance, conveyed through a vocal performance that feels intimate, heartfelt and human.
There is a timelessness but also a high spiritual quotient. We love the vocal harmonies too. In essence, we learn that the song is designed to reflect on “the moment hope begins to return after feeling lost in the dark.”
The key changes are incredible, and remind us of early Elliott Smith and a bit of Bowie too! The guitar solo riffs are truly transcendental. Joseph Turner confesses, “This song came from a moment of not having answers yet, and the message is to get through the rough patch to find something different, but beautiful on the other side. Sometimes you just gotta shift your perspective and let the change come from within.”
A New Moon serves as the opening chapter of Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard‘s upcoming album, and establishes the tone for a record that is shaped by vulnerability, introspection, and connection. It invites us to slow down, reflect, and move with intention at a time when we need it the most. In this sense, the record is highly zeitgeist. We could imagine the song being featured in a Luca Guadagnino film.
Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard is a project that is grounded in songwriting. This really comes to life on A New Moon. Writing from the Dutch delta, Turner creates songs that can be gentle or intense, but always honest. He records the core of the music himself, and works with a rotating circle of collaborators, both longtime friends and newly found kindred spirits.
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added A New Moon to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we anticipate future releases from Joseph Turner & The Dudes of Hazard!