Moon Looks On – Gypsy Fires (2024)
A few months ago , August to be exact, singer-songwriter Moon Looks On (also known as Stephen Gormley) happened across our virtual desk with ‘The West Wind Blows’. Despite having heard only one of his tunes, the Irish musician slipped into our favourites list with his intriguing folk sound. Sauntering across various flavours of folk music, Gormley won our hearts with his music as he pushes the realm of folk with an experimental flair. Known far beyond his Irish borders, his confidence mixed with delicate vulnerability ensnares audiences; today, we take a gander (or rather a listen) to his latest single, ‘Gypsy Fires’.
Following the well-received track ‘The West Wind Blows’, ‘Gypsy Fires’ may not be a traditional Irish folk tune; however, the profoundness of its lyricism hits you in the chest just as those old Celtic songs do. A hint of laidback wistfulness wriggles across ‘Gypsy Fires’… but as smooth and charming, you know there’s a deeper message when you fall into a mire of music.
Penned as a song about “survival and celebration where joy and loss meet in the glow of the fire…”, the poetic lyricism delicately captures raw human emotion in a four-minute song. Yet, while the words are soul-stirring it is, for me at least, Gormley’s rich vocals that add weightiness to ‘Gypsy Fires’. Warm and bold but tinged by tragedy in a passionate twirl of fire, he delves deep into your soul with the rough and soothing tune.
Just as the lyricism has its hit of intensity, ‘Gypsy Fires’ melody brings its own wash of intensity. Featuring drummer Martin Ditchum and guitarist Bill Shanley, the single is kaleidoscopic in its presentation. Add the production skills of Denis Blackham, and you have a twinkling symphony breathing mysticism, obscurity and intoxicating charm.
Find out more about Moon Looks On via his Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
Discover more indie-folk music on The Other Side Reviews Indie Folk playlist:
