Isolation and loneliness go hand and hand. The emotional disconnect can prompt a seemingly insurmountable distance between yourself and the rest of your world. Marooned by misery, singer-songwriter Marc Bird’s latest single, “Moon Puddles,” is an atmospheric folk tune that hones in on the introspective nature of becoming an insular being.
As a whole, “Moon Puddles” relies upon a rainy day melody to emphasize a dreary ambiance. A soft pitter patter of drums resembles the spray of sprinkling precipitation. A constant mist is more detrimental than a soaking rain. It indefinitely clings in the air as opposed to the sudden down burst of an all-out deluge. With this drum pattern, Bird reproduces that all-encompassing nuisance that drags you down with each speck of moisture that collects upon you.
In concert with the misty drums, there is a wave-inspired sound that can be heard in the background. You can hear what can be interpreted as waves rushing ashore. Coinciding with this effect, Bird, in a hushed tone, sings about “standing in the sea” as he stands vigil for someone to “find” him. All the while, “waves are crashing over and over.” Much like pangs of melancholy, these waves sprint to the fore with ferocity. They are a natural push against you standing your ground.
Altogether, Bird effectively conjures up notions of a detached, lonesome fellow who is navigating a maze of emotions. In the absence of a significant other, you feel him wandering down old pathways and exploring newly established voids. In a solitary manner, “Moon Puddles” faces down the uncompromising foe of depression with a wistful look back.
Written by Travis Boyer
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