Track of the Day: Xoe-B – Moonlight (2023)
Initially, Xoe-B’s ambition was to become a dancer; however, after a serious neck injury at age 15, her dancing career came to an end. Now, instead of taking the stage to dance, she has others dancing to her unique brand of alternative pop. Known for her hard-hitting, energetic melodies, Xoe-B is belting out bangers at festivals, owning stages at notable venues, receiving rave reviews from international blogs, and being the talk of BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio.
When Xoe-B first reached our ears, it was with her well-received 2021 single ‘Life In Colour’ – a kaleidoscopic fusion of disco, funk and “in your face” pop. Skip ahead a couple of years, and her infectious sound slithers into our ears once again with the single ‘Moonlight’. Following her 2022 track ‘Valentine (You Can’t Have Me)’, ‘Moonlight’ shows an evolution in Xoe-B’s sound drawing together the pulsating electronic beats and soothing funk-inspired tones of her previous singles.
Recorded in collaboration with upcoming artist and producer Atticus Blue, bold beats harmonically slip beneath a pop-inspired melody presenting obscurity in the elegant production. In line with Dua Lipa and Demi Lovato, a ride along a commercial bubble-gum pop wave exists; however, brash tints of gritty darkness flutter along eventually consuming the wave in a swirl of aggressive despair. The rise and fall of the song give a rollercoaster-like vibe but, extending her hand like a friend, Xoe-B navigates the whirlpool with warmth and grace.
In many cases, there is a paradoxical juxtaposition between upbeat melodies and profound lyricism – this is not one of those songs. Bright but dark, bold but vulnerable, confident but with an intricate fragility, the path of ‘Moonlight’ joins a thought-provoking theme with a complex melody. Penned as an expression of a midnight panic attack, ‘Moonlight’ is raw, real and filled with honest passion. Interestingly, while gruff melancholy floods the song, a sense of empowering hopefulness lurks below. Xoe-B explains:
“I’ve been sitting on this track since 2020 wondering when the best time to release it might be. Upon completing my MA recently, it dawned on me that now is the right time. All of the stress of being a student in both the BA and MA has been lifted, and now it’s time to let go of it and let moonlight close the door on this chapter. ‘Moonlight’ feels like the start of a new sound for me…” – Xoe-B on ‘Moonlight’
Find out more about Xoe-B on her official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
