In continuation of his recently released album, singer-songwriter Stephen Day has released the retro tune “Moonshine” as part of the 3-track EP of the same name. With a focus on swaying guitars and drums, the song is reminiscent of Stephen Sanchez and Ashe.
Starting off the song is a sweet but tight guitar melody that is contrasted against a more grainy rhythm guitar. The guitars quickly establish the retro-pop sound, with a drum machine reminding audiences that the song is still modern. The faster pace and positive lyrics also offer a more surf-rock edge to the song, but its clear that the Motown era of music is what Day is trying to emulate. A bass guitar sitting in the back of the mix rounds off the instrumentation with little changes in the overall soundscape for the entirety of the song.
“Moonshine” is both a reference to drinking and a night out, with Day describing a “Friday night” with friends. The chorus repeats the line “right here in the moonshine” with the verses briefly detailing a house party at the lake: “old dock on a quiet lake.” Since the song is fairly short, the singer-songwriter also keeps his lyrics fairly basic and surface-level.
Rather than a fully fledged new album cycle, Stephen Day’s “Moonshine” feels more like a B-side from the 2024 album Gold Mine. Still, the song delivers on the promise of a sweet and simply fun tune for fans to listen to.
