Moody Joody Finds Their Voice in Dreamy Debut EP
Article originally written for Concert Chronicles. Find the original article here.
In their debut EP "Dream Girl," Nashville-based trio Moody Joody crafts a glittering synth-pop journey that feels like a midnight drive through the complexities of modern existence. The six-track collection, helmed by dual frontwomen Kayla Hall and Kaitie Forbes alongside producer Andrew Pacheco, masterfully balances euphoric dream pop with raw vulnerability, creating an instantly memorable sonic landscape.
"'Dream Girl' is a story of romance, existential crisis, loss & rebirth," Forbes explains, noting the intentional contrast between the EP's buoyant production and its more contemplative undertones. This duality manifests immediately in the opening track "Ground Control," where shimmering synths provide an ironic backdrop to lyrics crying out, "Ground control, I need an SOS / Everything around me is a modern mess." The space imagery introduced here becomes a recurring motif throughout the EP, serving as a metaphor for escape from earthly troubles.
Photo credit: Luke Rogers
The title track "Dream Girl" and the pulsing "Cuts Deep" maintain the EP's momentum before giving way to the sultry "Velvet Connection." But it's perhaps "El Camino High" that best showcases the band's songwriting prowess. The track perfectly captures the bittersweet nature of young romance, using its titular vehicle as both setting and metaphor for youth's fleeting freedom. The narrative walks a delicate line between nostalgia and the acknowledgment that some moments can never be recreated.
Cars and driving emerge as central symbols throughout the EP, but their meaning evolves significantly. What begins as representation of freedom and escape in "El Camino High" transforms into something more ambivalent by the closing track "Pass the Time," suggesting a deeper commentary on the illusion of escape in modern life. This final track brings the EP's themes full circle, confronting existential questions about mortality and meaning while maintaining the project's dreamy, synth-driven soundscape.
The EP arrives at an exciting time for Moody Joody, who recently wrapped up a series of support shows for Misterwives and contributed vocals to that band's star-studded "Nosebleeds: Encore" album, which features collaborations with PVRIS, Taylor Acorn, Lindsey Stirling, and Betty Who. This debut EP shows remarkable artistic maturity, establishing a distinctive sound that should resonate strongly with fans of atmospheric synth-pop and introspective lyricism.
Nashville fans can catch Moody Joody performing their new EP tonight (November 8th) at Row One, with support from Natalie Madigan. Based on this impressive debut, it's clear that Moody Joody has found their authentic voice, and their future in the indie pop landscape looks exceedingly bright.