You’ve got to love a band with a conceit, especially one with an A+ grade name like LIT. MAJOR. The word “band” is used loosely in this case, as LIT. MAJOR is the musical project of Remy Josef, a talented multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. His new song, “Goodbye, Moon Eyes”, is the first single from a new project, “envisioning each song to be from a different character’s POV at this local open mic in this small town.”
Josef’s voice is distinctive, a warm tenor with an unmistakable, natural vibrato. Opening with only his voice and acoustic guitar, “Goodbye, Moon Eyes” feels like a reflection on past romances, the kind with memories that return to you at random moments, years into the future.
As the second verse begins, drums, bass, and electric guitar come in, creating a rich canvas over which Josef’s voice paints pictures. The bass is wonderfully full and round, playing a simple line with the drums that gives the song an undeniable bounce, even as it keeps an indie-folk feel throughout. The electric guitar is quirky, sounding almost like an accordion at times, culminating in a solo at the end of the bridge that is nearly random patting of the fingerboard, yet fits the song perfectly.
“Goodbye, Moon Eyes” should have fans of this sound looking forward to the full project when it is released. A formerly prolific artist, the self-described “sad song singer” put out six EPs or albums as LIT. MAJOR between 2019 and 2021 (and four more under the name Atheists between 2017 and 2019), but only one per year since. It’s a strong back-catalog that sets the stage for what is hopefully a continued string of releases to come. If you enjoy “Goodbye, Moon Eyes,” you can listen to all LIT. MAJOR (and Atheists) releases on Bandcamp and follow the artist on Instagram.
Written by Dylan Steele
