Recommended Tracks: “Darkness,” “Oasis”
Artists You Might Like: Arcy Drive, Briston Maroney, Ax and the Hatchetmen
Telling it like it is should be the motto of The Moss, a rising indie rock band from Salt Lake City. From upbeat 70s rock-inspired groovy jams to deep self-discoveries and realizations, The Moss challenges their sonic and lyrical capabilities to create a piece that pushes them to the next level of their artistry. The four-track EP, Free Ride, offers an exciting glimpse into what the band has been developing and discovering behind the curtain.
The first track, “Darkness,” opens the door for the EP to explore the smallest cracks and share the deepest secrets. Although the darkness is defeating, there still is a part of you that seems to be holding onto hope, staying till the morning to see the sun rise. Recognizing that the darkness doesn’t need to be consuming, but rather understood, is the anthem The Moss is living by. The dark, mysterious tonal quality carried by a ceaseless percussion line proves that even though the darkness meets you time and time again, even in something as fulfilling as love, there is still something allowing you to continue, grounding you to a purpose beyond the heaviness.
This wave of acceptance introduced in “Darkness” flows into the next track, “Free Again,” where peace is found by starting the next chapter with an open mind and open ears. Despite the possibility that there isn’t an answer that can provide clarity within the fogginess, the true victory lies in accepting advice and help from others, rather than rejecting it. With an upbeat jazz piano strongly starting it off and an instrumental outro taking it over, this track is a strong statement celebrating freedom that is found once again.
A collection of sample sounds and a synth solo swoop in to present the introspective track “Higher,” which doesn’t hesitate to dive into a self-critical view of escalating situations far beyond reach. Swallowed by the repeated, spiraling question, “Am I getting ahead of myself?”, the track explores the experience of feeling everything so intensely, which can be draining if not monitored.
The concluding track, “Oasis” encompasses the breath of fresh air finding the right person provides, as they seem to breathe life and purpose into you. The song takes a brief pause and then transitions into a high-paced piano instrumental that carries the song to its end. Being content with all the oasis provides and laying down their hands for good, The Moss puts an end to a losing battle and prepares for the fruitful journey that lies ahead.
Free Ride is a cohesive EP, with the tracks sounding like they were made to be consumed together as opposed to standing alone. This sound is a new direction for The Moss, venturing out from their past works and exploring an angle that offers something different.
The raw vocals are layered perfectly on top of the bouncy, groovy instrumentation, producing seamless tracks that are satisfying to listen to. The EP has an overall dark jazz-rock quality, which perfectly coincides with the deep introspective themes the lyricism explores. Overall, The Moss’ use of a wide range of instruments to convey this range of emotions creates a sonically colorful piece that forces the listener to listen to the tracks a second time in order to absorb all that they have to offer.
The Moss are taking the EP on the road with their headlining Spring 2026 Tour, hitting cities across the United States. Tickets can be found here.
The Moss Spring Tour 2026 Dates:
4/2 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
4/3 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
4/4 – Eugene, OR – WOW Theatre
4/6 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
4/9 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
4/10 – San Diego, CA – Quartyard
4/11 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
4/14 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
4/15 – Dallas, TX – Club Dada Outdoors
4/18 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East
4/20 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
4/22 – Washington, D.C. – Union Stage
4/23 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl Philly
4/24 – New York, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
4/25 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
4/27 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Café
4/29 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Blind Pig
4/30 – Columbus, OH – Skully’s Music Diner
5/1 – Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI Indy
5/2 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
5/6 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
5/7 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
5/8 – St. Louis, MO – Off Broadway
5/9 – Kansas City, MO – Madrid Theatre
5/11 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown
5/13 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre
5/14 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
Keep up with The Moss: Website // Spotify // Instagram // Facebook // X
