“Right Across The USA” by Moon Construction Kit
Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys has influenced countless musicians around the globe, and he is also the main influence cited by Moon Construction Kit, a make-believe band created by Olivier Cornu, a Swiss musician and songwriter based in Lausanne—a place that, oddly enough, shares much of the same breathtaking scenery as California. As someone from the West Coast, I noticed the resemblance almost immediately when I first visited the city two decades ago.
Long story short, even if there’s no ocean in Lausanne, I have a feeling Brian Wilson might have felt right at home there.
Cornu’s latest offering, “Right Across The USA,” is something of an alt-pop gem. While the layered harmonies bear a closer resemblance to ABBA than to The Beach Boys, the arrangement and production are rich with Wilsonesque chord structures and all manner of sonic ear candy. The keyboards and bass, in particular, should sound very satisfying to fans of The Beach Boys’ mid-seventies album Love You, a record often credited with laying some of the groundwork for the synth-pop explosion of the 1980s.
There’s a lot to love here. The vocals are smooth and impeccably produced, and although I’m sure some listeners might disagree with me, I personally love the electric drums. I also don’t want to overlook the song’s coda, which begins around 2:37 and is absolutely breathtaking. It’s a remarkable musical moment—one that leaves us craving more, which is never a bad sign when it comes to pop music.
“Right Across The USA” will be an absolute treat for fans of Brian Wilson and 1980s synth-pop alike. It’s one of those tracks that gets your foot tapping while offering enough musical depth to reward repeated listens.
Explore further:
Moon Construction Kit Soundcloud
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Review by staff at MBTM
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