Album Review: Dexter and The Moonrocks, Happy To Be Here

Written By James Magill, OOTB Publications

Full Disclaimer: I already love this goddamn band. (Check out my review here of their concert last month, if you want the full love letter.)

There are quite a few perks to this gig. Talking about music is always a win. Turning people on to new bands? Even better.

When I saw a chance to review this EP, I jumped on it. Dexter and The Moonrocks are currently my favorite band, and the idea of getting early access to new tracks in advance had me feeling straight-up giddy.

I always listen to new music in the car—it's my ritual. With a commute to and from work every day, I couldn’t wait to throw on the EP for my early morning drive home.

Happy To Be Here (out tomorrow) is the latest release from Dexter and the Moonrocks. Six tracks, two of which—“Say I” and “Ritalin”—are already out in the wild.

“Ritalin” is a gritty homage to addiction—whatever yours may be. James’ voice gives me major Kurt Cobain vibes here. Raw, aching, real.
“Say I” feels like an ode to trying to say something important, but not being able to find the words.
“Cry” is more pop rock in sound—upbeat musically, with lyrics that push the idea that it’s okay to feel things.
“Sarahtonin” is about finding happiness in another person. We’ve all had a Sarah. This track is already starting to make waves on social media.
“Breakin” shifts gears with a mellower, moodier tone—it taps into that restless energy we’ve all felt.
“Happy to Be Here,” the title track, is sadness wrapped in a melody. It’s haunting, melancholic, and we just don’t hear enough xylophones in music nowadays

All in all, this is a solid effort from a band that just keeps delivering. They keep edging us closer and closer to what we really want—a full album. There is a special vinyl edition that has this and the band’s other EP Western Space Grunge. Check it out. You’ll thank me later.

Rating

4.7 / 5

Favorite Tracks

“Ritalin,” “Happy to Be Here”

Pre-Save

https://ffm.to/happy-to-be-here

Pre-Order

https://dexter-and-the-moonrocks.myshopify.com/collections/music

Tour Dates

https://www.dexterandthemoonrocks.com/tour

Follow Dexter and The Moonrocks

https://linktr.ee/dexterandthemoonrocks