Take A Ride With Moon Taxi and Set Yourself Free

By Phil Hawkins

Nashville-based indie/alt band Moon Taxi have released their highly-anticipated 6th studio album Set Yourself Free. With tracks ranging from rock to synth to pop to bluegrass, the new lineup showcases what 15 years as a band gets you: a polished, classic sound without fear of exploration.

The five-member group- vocalist/guitarist Trevor Terndrup, lead guitarist Spencer Thomson, bassist Tommy Putnam, keyboardist Wes Bailey, and drummer Tyler Ritter – stepped back into their roots to create an album primarily written and recorded by themselves and set for release on their own label, 12th South Records.

Set Yourself Free opens with “Walk Out” which serves as a bit of an ambient intro in long form as it feels like it could have been birthed out of a band jam session. It serves its purpose as it introduces the stylings one can expect if this is their first experience with Moon Taxi. “Set Yourself Free” follows and provides our first full foray with Trevor Terndrup’s vocals showcasing some pop sensibilities with some rhythmic soul sprinkled in for good measure, something that will remain prevalent throughout the album as a whole. “Lay Low” keeps the album flowing as another solid mid tempo track utilizing lush and diverse instrumentation for the backdrop to Terndrup’s smooth vocals.

“Heart Of Gold” and “What’s Coming Next” create a unique contrast in their placement against one another as they carry a distinctly different musical aesthetic but still manage to fit cohesively in the overall album construct. “Step Into The Light” keeps everything in that mid tempo and manages to throw in some saxophone in the chorus that is a nice little garnish on the track as a whole.

“Classics” kicks off the second half of the album and is consistent with its continued mid tempo execution. While a majority of the album fits within that mid tempo construct each track manages to feel unique and doesn’t fall in to a pit fall of being redundant. “Unstoppable” has more of an acoustic guitar driven hook as it starts and manages to carry that throughout within the mixed instrumentation that is also present. “Evergreen” (which features Molly Tuttle) carries more of the acoustic aesthetic and beautifully contrasts against its predecessor as the track is far more acoustic driven with minimal additional instrumentation.

“Sunbeam” ushers in the final act of the album as an instrumental “bridge” of sorts from the rest of the album. “Dream Our Life Away” is sure to become a seasonal favorite as both the lyrical and musical theme fit the summertime aesthetic. “Flipping Channels” is a solid deep cut with its placement on the album and for the fact that it feels maybe a little experimental with the use of some vocal modulation that is not present on the rest of the album. Given Terndrup’s vocal ability the modulation is not necessary, but it is clear it is being used more for the effect it plays within the track. “Summer In Motion” closes out the album and carries a strong reggae vibe which only solidifies the band’s ability to be a mildly chameleonic when it comes to their “genre” placement.

Overall, Set Yourself Free is a solid blend of mid tempo pop with some reggae and islandic tendencies that would be perfect to listen to while sitting on a beach (or poolside if that is more your thing) and enjoying the summer. The only drawback is that majority of the tracks might seem too short for some. However, they each take full advantage of the musical space they fill.

Set Yourself Free is out now via 12th South Records and is available on all major streaming and digital platforms or purchase via the band’s webstore.

Look for Moon Taxi on tour later this summer through the end of the year with support from The Stews.