“There’s a darkness in you, and I feel it turning.”
Philadelphia based Corey Regensburg, aka Moon Bounce, has been making experimental, genre transcending electronic music since 2011. After solidifying his experimental pop / electronic sound with his first two EPs, Darn Your Best Frock (2011) and Wheelhouse (2013), Regensburg returned with his third EP, Dress Rehearsal, released on February 25th via Grind Select.
While Dress Rehearsal is Moon Bounce’s shortest release yet (only four tracks long, weighing in at just over thirteen minutes) it’s an EP that can and should be put on repeat. Regensburg utilizes his knowledge of classical composition throughout, while at the same time creating innovative music by combining light melodies with heavy beats, R&B with electronic, and funk with classical. The album as a whole is rife with key changes, distorted vocals and addictive rhythms, making it enjoyable both aesthetically and analytically.
Moon Bounce makes electronic music that you don’t need to be on drugs to enjoy. The album as a whole is great, in part due to its over-the-top compositional theatricality. While a lot of electronic music is subtle, repetitive and esoteric, there is nothing subtle about Moon Bounce as an artist. Regensburg’s works are filled with shattering beats, unorthodox sound effects, and dramatic lyrics, making Dress Rehearsal as stylish as it is gripping.
The sort of theatrical elements it contains as a whole make sense after discovering that Regensurg graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a degree in Musical Theater. “Shake,” for instance, finishes with a chorus of harmonizing vocals (very Freddie Mercury). Everything—and I mean everything—in Dress Rehearsal is dramatic: the baseline in “Child,” the lyrics in “Whore,” and the melody in “Ouroboros” are just a few of the most obvious examples.
Regensburg’s knowledge of composition is undeniable, and it is what makes his music catchy and accessible: he knows what sounds good, and how to make those sounds happen. “Ouroboros” is a particularly conspicuous showcase of Regensburg’s c skills: he introduces a theme, which pervades throughout the song, continuously modifying to propel the song forward to new musical dimensions.
Many electronic artists use excessive repetition, but Regensburg manages to avoid this trap. While he does use it often, it’s only in order to enhance the point that he’s trying to make. Most notably, this can be heard in the lyrical repetitions in “Whore,” (Baby please don’t go) and “Child” (I- I can feel it). “Whore” stands out for its multi-genre sounds, combining the vocal and melodic qualities of R&B with electronic instrumentation and vocal effects.
It is no easy task to make electronic music this catchy, but Dress Rehearsal makes it seem like a piece of cake. An EP for novices and experts of electronic music alike, Dress Rehearsal is dynamic and original, but most importantly, enjoyable to listen to.
