SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MOBIUS RADIO – MOBIUS RADIO

MOBIUS RADIO
MOBIUS RADIO
INDEPENDENT

When not making viral videos about speaking French while ordering at a Québec drive-through or spoofing Eminem, Dylan Hennessy plays guitar, sings, and writes for Mobius Radio. The Toronto- based duo is rounded out by Alex Van Briggle on drums and formed in early 2020. Now, following the release of a handful of singles, the progressive, electronic-inspired rock outfit is set to release their full-length debut album, Mobius Radio, a concept record narrated by none other than Canadian radio legend, Jeff Woods.

The album opens with “Station ID (Intro)”, a track that finds common ground between an overture and the feeling of flipping station to station on FM radio. It is here that Woods introduces the band by championing their sound; something that is ultimately inspired by modern electronic music and riff rock of decades long gone. “Metro Rush” – the third track but first actual song – delivers on this. The track is driven by a nearly hypnotic guitar melody, performed precisely and in a beautiful clean tone, that is built upon the sonic soundscapes of the previous track, “Phone Liner (Interlude)”. The song uses rhythmic shifts and dynamics similar to that of electronic music, for example, the drums drop out shortly after the first verse. Much like a DJ dropping the bass, Mobius Radio uses this to great effect as a means of building energy. The use of electronic stylings performed on guitar and drums remains relatively uncharted territory and, when combined with progressive harmonic passages and an array of movements to allow the song to slowly grow, makes for a refreshing take.

Mobius Radio is a musical journey full of shining moments among a vast degree of musicianship and inventive songwriting. From the Eastern-inspired harmonic progressions of “Battle” to the ambient “Can We All”, Mobius Radio has delivered an album that spans a multitude of influences in a rich synthesis. The star of the album, however, is Hennessy’s guitar playing; from the effortless lead lines dropped throughout, alongside numerous solos of mammoth proportions, most notably those of “Blink Of An Eye” and “Battle”, Hennessy establishes himself among the most exciting up and coming guitarists. Furthermore, Woods’ narration throughout interludes, along with the inclusion in “Battle” and “The More You Know” adds a layer of depth and a sense of poetic nature to the album. In his most pivotal moment, Woods pulls quotes from Igor Stravinsky and Jerry Garcia within the same train of thought, bridging two seemingly parallels as a means of further highlighting the need for creative risks within music despite what the critics will say or what the audience necessarily wants.

The sounds and musicianship found across Mobius Radio are entirely unique to the band. Few independent artists could assemble such a vast collection of music, sprawling in multiple directions all the while thriving on the complexities of their musical creativity. The band has found a unique synthesis between modern and classic music of varying genres and has found a way to tie it all together seamlessly, making for a compelling debut album.

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