Supermoon
Comet Lovejoy (Alarum)

Three of the four members of Supermoon used to play in the short-lived local act Movieland, but even though this is a new project, the sound isn’t that much different. Much like Movieland, Supermoon specializes in fun, scrappy indie pop in which bubbly ditties are delivered with punk-inspired grit.

Comet Lovejoy is the band’s debut cassette EP, and opener “Grounded” introduces listeners to the quartet’s mix of sweet and spicy, as guitarists Katie Gravestock and Alie Lynch deliver crunchy chords and sunny surf licks. Meanwhile, bassist Adrienne LaBelle and drummer Selina Crammond bash out boppy rhythms, and the summery melodies are kissed with dreamy reverb.

From there, “Tragedy” is an 85-second bubblegum-punk whirlwind with nursery-rhyme-simple melodies, but the upbeat delivery belies lyrics that tell of depressing documentaries and emotional repression. “I’ve Been Told” is a clear standout, its honeyed hooks and fiery fuzz recalling the finest of the Slumberland Records roster.

The only misfire comes on “Burnout of My Dreams”, which cribs R.E.M. in its opening lyric “This one goes out to the one I love/This one goes out to the one I left behind.” This moment is likely to make listeners want to turn off Comet Lovejoy and listen to “The One I Love” instead.

Aside from that, the EP is a charming showcase of Supermoon’s buoyant style; hopefully, this band sticks around for a lot longer than Movieland.