First of all, R.I.P. David Lynch.
There’s something instantly magnetic about musicians who channel their love for film into their music, and Eraserhead baby by Moonlighting does exactly that. I like it. I just like it. The fact that it’s inspired by Eraserhead gives the project a surreal foundation, but instead of leaning into pure darkness, the duo mixes their twee/indie/power pop sound to create something warmer and open. It’s that kind of convergence, where two of my favourite creative worlds meet, that makes the EP both intriguing and enjoyable to sit with.
Across its three tracks, the EP feels both surreal and summery, which is a favourite and satisfying pairing. The textures are soft, the melodies breezy, yet there’s an underlying strangeness that nods back to Lynch’s influence. Eraserhead baby stands as an easy homage without becoming overly literal and overly melancholic, while the standout track “Just You” feels cinematic in its own right, like it could slip into the Mulholland Drive soundtrack. The imagery in the lyrics makes each song feel like a little scene in a bigger, dreamlike story.
What’s cool is how effortlessly moodlighting converges the dream pop sound with this cinematic context. Even if you don’t catch every reference, the mood is enjoyable regardless.
Written by Nthatile Mavuso
