Moonee – Brotherhood EP

Moonee – Brotherhood EP // Last Year At Marienbad – LYAM008

For the imprint’s latest release, Last Year in Marienbad is pleased to welcome French producer Moonee back into the fold, bringing an EP filled with his signature blend of euphoric and emotive grooves.

Moonee’s music, one of François Lefevre’s main aliases, touches upon the airier side of dance music, tapping into feelings of inner reflection and escapism. His ability to create impactful yet softly spoken songs leaves a lasting impression, with records that feel like deep dives into carefully constructed sonic experiences. Originally focused on deep house, Lefevre has taken Moonee into new spaces on recent releases, perhaps best demonstrated on the LP Sandquest, which came out on parent label Oath last year. The way Moonee curated that album helped expand his musical universe immensely, and when it comes to palettes of sound, few compare to his finely tuned discography. Finding spaces in between is a joy within his records, where attention to detail and emphasis on free flow and intuition make repeat listens all the more rewarding.

Brotherhood is his latest offering, and perhaps his most finely balanced and delicately poised record to date. From the first moments of the ‘Glitched’ version of the title track, there is a sense of latent urgency and a story waiting to unfold. The stepping garage beat pivots between the lo-fi vocal sample above and the deep low-end bass and kicks below, with the listener carried along within the mids to great effect. “Existenz” follows, taking the four-to-the-floor energy to new heights. The kicks provide a solid core for higher rhythmic elements, while an emerging melodic palette feels almost orchestral in depth and reach. A track to truly drift into.

“Panorama” builds on motifs from the opening two tracks, rounding off this chapter of the EP with skipping vocal samples and an upbeat bassline that drifts beneath the drums. Playful and joyous, it feels like mid-morning wrapped in late-night energy — a soundtrack for nocturnal city wanderings. Finally, fellow Oath affiliate Moomin remixes the title track, introducing a touch of electro. Where the original brims with high energy, this version is more understated and laid-back, its rolling focus providing an excellent counterpoint. Slowly shifting and steadily building, it’s a mini masterclass in the art of controlled release — a fitting close to the EP.

If enriching grooves, enticing melodies, and warmth are what you seek, then Brotherhood has you covered. Traversing electronic slipstreams with both energy and subtlety, this EP offers a bit of everything — press play and dive in.

Tracklist