I love this record by Moin. It’s their third LP and it’s the finest yet. On You Never End the playing, the arrangements, and the inimitable vibe are all thoroughly honed. It’s got that warm, detailed production mixed with a cool emotional atmosphere that many UK electronic/fusion acts possess. There’s an urgent post-punk sound with big noisy riffs but always a real tightness in the playing that rivals any post-rock great. The group makes no secret of their skill, particularly drummer Valentina Magaletti. Her precision drives many of the songs forward and creates a lot of the biggest moments of this record (and their live show.) However it’s the whole group’s consistent and inspired songwriting that makes You Never End my favorite record of theirs and a favorite release of 2024 in general.

The songs are harmonically rich and the recording is warm but the tone is cold and high contrast. There’s just enough synth, distortion, hum, and occasional sample/loops to give richness and weight to what would’ve otherwise been a very sharp and sterile record. Instead it’s very welcoming and there’s a persistent softness despite the angular riffs. It’s in the way that the band provides a perfect platform for very gentle vocals, spoken word and rap by Olan Monk, james K, Coby Sey and Sophia Al-Maria. Moin provides the necessary space and musical punctuation to get the absolute best out of the features. The strong presence of these contributions is a welcome addition to the group’s historically instrumental work. You Never End solidifies the group as essential players, collaborators and performers helping bring a new more intimate, emotional sound to UK experimental music.

For fans of: big puffy jackets and grey days, James Blake and John McEntire, smoking a joint in the street to The Streets, and crying to punk songs.