Moonee Vinyl, CD & Tape 4 Items

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

Moonee’s music, one of François Lefevre’s main aliases, touches upon the airer side of dance music, tapping into the feeling of inner reflection and escapism. His ability to create impactful but softly spoken songs leaves impressions on those who come across it, and his records are deep dives into these carefully constructed sonic experiences. Originally focusing on deep house, Lefevre has taken Moonee on recent releases into a number of new spaces, perhaps best demonstrated on the LP ‘Sandquest’ which came out on parent label Oath last year. The manner in which Moonee curated that experience helped expand his musical universe immensely, and when it comes to palettes of sound, there isn’t much better than his finely tuned discography. Finding spaces in-between is a joy on his records, with the attention to detail and emphasis on the free flows and intuitive make repeat listens all the more enjoyable.

‘Brotherhood’ is his latest offering, and it is perhaps his most finely packed and delicately poised record to date. As soon as the ‘Glitched’ version of the title track begins, there is a sense of latent urgency but also a story found within waiting to be told. The steppin’ garage beat acts as a pivot between the lo-fi vocal sample up top and the intensely deep low-end bass and kicks, with the listener bouncing along within the mids to great effect. ‘Existenz’ comes next, and this takes the 4 to the floor energy to new heights. The kicks provide the core for hi end rhythmic elements to offer texture, with focus drawn to the emerging melodic palette, that feels almost orchestral in its depth and reach. One to drift into, for sure.

‘Panorama’ builds on some of the key motifs from the opening two tracks, almost rounding off that chapter of the EP to great effect. The skipping vocal samples shift around up top whilst an upbeat bass line drifts up and down beneath the drums. A playful and joyous track, this one feels like mid-morning wrapped up with late night all at once – one to soundtrack that late-night voyage through the city. Finally, fellow Oath affiliate Moomin is brought on board to remix the title track, and he brings a slice of electro to proceedings. Whilst the original is presented with a gloss of high energy, this version is more understated and laid back, butt this focus on rolling provides an excellent counterpoint. Slowly building, quietly shifting, it is a mini-masterclass in allowing energy to build and release – a perfect ender to this EP.

If enriching grooves, enticing melodies and warmth are what you wish for in life, then ‘Brotherhood’ has you covered. Trailblazing across the electronic slipstreams, gathering energy at canters then gallops, this EP has a bit of everything – press play, and dive right in….

2024 gets underway, Oath are thrilled to share the imprint’s latest long play, which comes courtesy of rising star Moonee – and you better believe its a solid gold stunner…

Francois Lefevre, the producer behind the Moonee name – alongside his group projects Twice Movement and Simple Request (with French House royalty Tour-Maubourg) – really optimizes all that is bold and beautiful about the House genre. The release of ‘Wabi Sabi’ on Groovence in 2022, then ‘Primal Groove’ on Slothboogie last year, has already helped Lefevre craft a significant space for himself under the Moonee name. His sound is one of tremendous melodic feel, with a plethora of rhythmic patterns and atmospheres being utilised to help create a bountiful sonic universe. His attention to how the groove unravels and how progression can be used softly but subtly really comes over strong, immersing the listener in a very warm place indeed. As beginnings to discographies go, this start is immensely strong, and one which provides a rock solid basis for all sorts of excellence to come forth.

‘Sandquest’ provides the next step in the journey for Moonee, and as LPs go it contains the same kind of depth as his first two EPs, but on display is a kind of magic that producers really harness on long plays. The record is encapsulated in the fundamentals of house, but to say that it sticks to a singular formula would be to do it a massive disservice – Moonee leaves nothing unturned when it comes to serving up the goods. Broken Beat and skippin’ rhythms play a big part in breaking up the uptempo numbers, as as a balancing act its handled very well indeed. The melodic usage is expertly handled on all tracks, and when breaking down the record you can feel that the journey from track to track has been considered superbly – be it in the club or at home.

‘Ouzo’ kicks the album off, and this number helps the listener land with two feet in the experience. The broken drums are spacious, allowing for all manner of wondrous melodic lines to drift in and out of view – delicately poised, numerous and effective, everything you could wish for from an opener. ‘Balagne’ then lands, and this one moves into familiar territories as we sweep through into a beautiful house cut, with the drums ringing true alongside some inspired key work. ‘Light on Earth’ keeps the vibes going on strong, with an expressive opening salvo opening up into a similar atmosphere that grows and grows, sweeping across the horizon line with delight. ‘Black Roses’ is next, and this one presents a warped yet beguiling shift through an intriguing atmosphere – drifting along, not a care in the world, glorious.

‘Arcadie’ then lands, and this one speaks softly but beautifully. The drums cast a long shadow, swinging along with plenty of room for the glorious keys to come into view, and its a track you will want to dip your head into time and time again. The title track then arrives, which immediately places the listener in a fast paced, emotive soundscape, one which bubbles along the top ends and gives such feels, no matter what context. ‘Evening World’ perfectly captures the feeling of that late evening early morning sway, with deep set drums being served under a gorgeous repeating chordal arrangement. To wrap the experience up, we have ‘Abundance’, and this track is 7 minutes of acid-y, grooving excellence – a perfect ender to a truly wicked album.

Two EPs down, and now this fantastic long play. Moonee really flexed his style and craft on this record, one which constantly delighted at every turn, providing an enriching spectrum of sounds that stick true to his production technique and to his craft. Not for one second do you stand still, but merely carried along on a wave of melodic euphoria, simply pleased to be along for the ride. The dips from heavy hitting though to softly spoken at handled so well, and as a result we are left with a pretty damn good way to enter in 2024. Winter has arrived, but warm your heart with this stunner.

SlothBoogie Records return for 2023 with a five tracker from Moonee. Groovence Discs boss Francois Lefevre is well versed in deep grooves and has been releasing some of his finest discoveries on the label since 2015. More recently he's been making his own deep and atmospheric productions under the Moonee moniker which took off in 2020 thanks to debut track Faith & Sorrow. Collaborations with some of the French scene’s finest producers Mangabey and Tour Maubourg soon followed as well as a remix for Sweely’s banger 'I Gotta Keep On'. The Wabi Sabi EP on the label landed in 2022 and was highlighted by Juno's editorial team as 'a sumptuous, slowly building chunk of intergalactic deep house beat loveliness'. That same EP caught the SlothBoogie crew's eye and they immediately began working on presenting a selection of Moonee's tracks that would celebrate their shared love of deep yet pumping Disco and House sounds. The Primal Groove EP was born and it starts off with 'Apples', a Motor city soul drenched track with filtered bass, dusty horn samples and spaced out guitar licks. Shuffled along by MPC beats before an otherworldly vocal washes over and brings it all to a close. 'Shishingo' is up next with it’s clever vocal manipulation, bouncy drums, subtle organ flourishes and a skipping bassline that builds up to some good ol’ time piano workout. Completing the A side is 'Dinner At Michelle's'... the most disco cut of the 12''. More shuffling shakers and filtered guitar loops backed by a thumping kick and ever circling strings leading the way for a full on 4/4 workout. Flipping over to the B sides introduces us to the title track 'Primal Groove' that takes us deep into a nostalgic trip with its string swells and filtered bass. Moonee is flexing his deep house muscles on this one as snappy percussion punctuates more MPC sampling, building tension towards the reveal of the main heads down groove section… classy business. Finally for dessert is 'Boka' a sumptuous glistening track that’s primed for beachside sunsets. Saturated with hypnotic vibes that’ll help you drift away into a calmer, more peaceful sanctuary.

Moonee’s New Effort Wabi Sabi on Groovence Discs

Throughout his relatively short career in solo (His contribution to house duet Twice Movement started in 2015) , Groovence’s Head Moonee (real name François Lefevre) has delivered some top shelf contributions over the last years, appearances like his debut track on Groovence last year « Faith & Sorrow » and an official remix for Sweely’s banger « Gotta Keep On » in 2020.

This debut EP was composed at home between 2019 and 2020, as time was flying during the first covid lockdown.
With most daily constraints gone, Moonee had time to plug in his MPCs and finish this batch of tracks. Blending contemporary and classic deep house, the EP draws inspiration from artists such as Mr.G, Dj Q, Linkwood or Theo Parrish.

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese ancient aesthetic and spiritual concept that celebrates the imperfection of things. Focused on the notion of beauty and the passage of time"