The path often reveals itself when we least expect it, and for American singer-songwriter Brandon Harwood, now known as artist Island Moons, that moment came during the worldwide shutdown of Covid-19 while residing in New York City. In the midst of eerie silence, with no contact except for the life of an expectant baby, a surge of creativity and inspiration flowed through him. He began to sing and pen his thoughts with a newfound voice.
Harwood took these songs to a studio in upstate NY, and it was there that serendipity struck. He stumbled upon an unpublished manuscript from none other than William Blake during a recording session. With this revelation, Island Moons was born, and the songs were catapulted into reality. Encoded into the DNA of this artist are influences like Lennon, Dylan, and Marley, forming a three-starred constellation toward which his creative gaze is eternally drawn. His versatility in songwriting and arrangements takes listeners on a journey, residing somewhere in the musical space between Radiohead, Bowie, and Cat Stevens.
Island Moons’ fourth single, ‘Jupiter on a Key Ring,’ is a vibrant and introspective track that defies easy categorisation. It blends elements of psychedelic, folk, indie pop, and rock, with shades of The Beatles in its tonality. Brandon’s pop-woven melodies and clever lyricism make this a “thinking-man’s song,” offering a fresh perspective on societal issues. It captures the realisation of Jupiter’s vastness and our insignificance in the cosmos, juxtaposed with the glaring faults of our society from a distant viewpoint.
Harwood explains, “The main premise of the song, as the title suggests, considers the hypothetical situation that the speaker is able to have the entire solar system within their grasp and view. Like a distant cousin to Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity,’ it drives at how one would view the world from afar. It hums with playfulness amidst flashes of optimism, especially as gentle arpeggios tickle the ears and the bridge culminates with an innate perspective of connection.”
From the playfulness of Bowie to the rekindling melancholy of Radiohead, ‘Jupiter on a Key Ring’ is a song that transcends musical borders and invites listeners to contemplate their place in the universe. In the early stages of his musical journey, Island Moons is already demonstrating a songwriting maturity that places him among some of the best around. His music bends the mind and soothes the soul, and draws from a natural spirit and zen that flows beneath the sonics, combined with 20 years of creative songwriting history.
‘Jupiter on a Key Ring’ showcases Island Moons’ lightness, individuality, and a deep reverence for the pioneers and masters of the art form. His impressionistic lyrics, romantic harmonies, and crisp compositions fuse into a style that evokes past generations while sounding entirely original.
