Reining in the tempos and upping a sense of fuzz-fuelled lo-fi wonder, Cleopatrick’s ‘Fake Moon’ is less a reimagining of their sound and more a complete reinvention. A stark departure from the towering riffs and walls of noise that dominated their gritty 2021 debut ‘Bummer’, it finds guitarist-vocalist Luke Gruntz and drummer Ian Fraser continuing further down the rabbit hole they first stumbled into on the following year’s ‘Doom’ EP.
Contemplative and vulnerable, while bubbling with an undercurrent of angst, explorative opener Heat Death sets the tone vividly, weaving together a patchwork of mismatched textures alongside a potent mix of nostalgia and existential dread.
That glitchy approach colours much of the album’s first half. Lead single Bad Guy boasts bold synths and swooning guitars as the Ontario duo wear their Radiohead influences on their sleeve.
The melancholic Hammer adopts a grungier tone, with Gruntz blissfully comfortable in the warm shoegaze-infused hum of this new soundscape. Boasting stunning production by Philip Weinrobe, when it works, it really works.
From the more direct exploration of nonconformity on Big Machine to the dreamlike flow of closer Love You, ‘Fake Moon’ is at its best when it’s at its most unguarded. When they’re unafraid to grapple with life’s loftier realities, Cleopatrick shine, but their sonic simplicity falls flat during the record’s back half, most notably on its minimalist title track.
But with a clear vision that is largely executed well, ‘Fake Moon’ feels like a step closer to what Cleopatrick should be. It’s the type of slow-burning album that brings more charm with each listen. Polished and messy in all the right places, it’s a daring leap into new territory that more often than not sticks the landing.
Cleopatrick Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue March 18 2025 - BRIGHTON Chalk
Wed March 19 2025 - BRISTOL SWX
Fri March 21 2025 - NOTTINGHAM Rock City
Sat March 22 2025 - MANCHESTER Manchester Academy 2
Sun March 23 2025 - DUBLIN Academy
Tue March 25 2025 - GLASGOW SWG3
Wed March 26 2025 - LEEDS Leeds University Stylus
Fri March 28 2025 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute2
Sat March 29 2025 - LONDON Electric Brixton
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