Back when I first started writing for BGM, a ska band from Mississippi hit me up in my DMs with a pitch about their new album. The group had just launched a project on Kickstarter to fund the vinyl pressing and the overall expense of releasing their music in to the world. Intrigued, I started chatting with them. For my day job, I work with a lot of folks who use Kickstarter to fund their dreams and projects. I admire the idea of betting on yourself and doing whatever it takes to see your work financed and set out into the world.
The band? Flying Raccoon Suit. The album? Afterglow.
I was absolutely blown away. It even became one of my top five albums of 2021. They took ska music on the road less traveled. The record was such a refreshing breath of fresh air, especially knowing they handled everything for that album in house. DIY at its best.
So, when I found out the band joined Bad Time Records for their follow-up release, I was excited. Seeing them take such a huge step from DIY Kickstarter to releasing an album on such a prominent ska label filled me with joy. But with all of those accomplishments under their belt, did Flying Raccoon Suit rest on their laurels? Nope.
With Moonflower, Flying Raccoon Suit leveled up considerably.
When a band releases an amazing album, I wonder if lightning can strike twice. It’s really tough to capture the magic multiple times. But some bands can create a follow-up record that reminds me of T2: Judgment Day following Terminator. Both movies are wonderful in their own right, but I also think, T2 edges out the original.
What I’m trying to say is Moonflower is Flying Raccoon Suit’s T2: Judgment Day.
Moonflower gets things rolling with “Vidalia.” It’s a sultry, big brass intro that would fit right in at a late night cabaret on Bourbon Street. Things speed up considerably with “Longshot.” The track features frantic upstrokes, bold horn lines, and dual vocals from Andrew Heaton and Jessica Jeansonne. It’s the kind of song I imagine would be an absolute blast to play live, and an even bigger blast to dance to.
When looking for the overarching theme of Moonflower, the picture that appears is an album focusing on the insecurities that come along with getting older. Once you get to a certain age, some people realize there are more days behind them than ahead. That headspace gets into the meat of Moonflower. When you start to look at your life as you age, it’s easy to lose your momentum, confidence, and frankly, your motivation to accomplish your hopes and dreams. As someone in their 40s, this is a constant struggle for me. Knowing I’m not alone with these emotions helps immensely.
Flying Raccoon Suit’s lyrics have always been powerful, but they outdid themselves on Moonflower.
Listening to the words Jeansonne and Heaton sing is like hearing a world-class poet reciting their latest masterpiece. I’m just in awe of how their songwriting is intelligent and insightful without it being preachy or pretentious. For example, “Swan Song” was the band’s first single off the album, and it really set a high bar. Thankfully, Flying Raccoon Suit was up for the challenge, as it has one of my favorite opening verses in recent memory. The imagery is so vivid.
Walking on air, but it’s getting thin
Is complacency so permanent
Leaving my well-wishes by the stairs
Motivation so hard to find
Your sympathy’s no friend of mine
Over now, but was it ever there?
Throughout the tune, we hear someone struggling as the heartbreak and examples of the past weighs them down, worrying if or when the breakthrough will happen. Eventually, the song’s subject realizes they are worth way more than the hurt they’re experiencing in life. As the song gets close to the final notes, Jeansonne starts singing, “I’m letting go,” and I feel a sense of relief that things are looking up. It’s such an absolutely beautiful song. It’s sad, but hopeful. The band also sounds on the absolute top of their game.
Flying Raccoon Suit one of the most dynamic ska bands making music today.
They have a penchant for mixing and matching multiple styles during a single song, but they always manage to make the music sound seamless. No matter how abrupt some of the tempo or stylistic changes were, the horn lines powered through with an absolutely awe-inspiring performance. Sure, there’s ska and ska-punk throughout Moonflower, but it’s so much more than that. For instance, on “Eat the World,” surf rock and Kenny Loggins-inspired guitar riffs dance with abandon, shifting in and out of up-tempo, highly danceable ska music.
Moonflower is Flying Raccoon Suit at their absolute best.
To be honest, it feels like they just spent the entire album one upping themselves after each and every song. They built on the superb Afterglow and just did everything better. Their horn section sounds absolutely amazing. What they’re able to pull off is nothing short of perfection.
They also brought in Clay Aleman from Joystick to become their new bass player. Kerley improved his skills in the producer’s seat, and with “Long in the Tooth,” he got to step from behind the drum kit. Not only is it a standout song on Moonflower, but he got to let his love of metal shine. After hearing that song, I now know Flying Raccoon Suit can write any genre of song they wanted and it would be pure gold.
By signing with Bad Time Records, Flying Raccoon Suit is about to get even more attention. I’m glad Moonflower will be some folk’s introduction to Flying Raccoon Suit because it’s the best thing they’ve ever released. They should be incredibly proud of what they’ve created, and it’s going to turn a lot of people into fans of the band. The album has a shot at being my favorite of 2023. It’s that good.
You can order a copy of Moonflower directly with Bad Time Records or through Flying Raccoon Suit’s bandcamp page.