American Moon (formerly Casino Hearts), Mo Dotti

Based in Los Angeles, American Moon (formerly Casino Hearts) are Forrest Holter and Jacob Rubeck. An accomplished work of punk ethereality, Mo Dotti‘s debut record Opaque exemplifies the mix of Dinosaur Jr.-esque clamor cut with sweet Sundays-worthy melodies that the Los Angeles four piece have been meticulously crafting over the course of their brief but compelling discography. Building upon the glow-in-the-dark fuzz of 2020’s Blurring EP and the psychedelic pastiche of 2022’s Guided Imagery, Opaque showcases the sound of a band that has figured out how to bend and shape abstract washes of noise in and around memorable pop hooks into songs that reach for the stars. A formidable live band who’ve been tapped to open for groups like beloved Japanese hardcore punks Otoboke Beaver and were invited by shoegazers Nothing to join the line-up of their inaugural Slide Away Festival, Mo Dotti bring the thrill of their live show to Opaque, which has the aggressive, in-the-room feel of Ride’s first four EPs mixed with the lush yet caustic beauty of My Bloody Valentine in their Isn’t Anything era. Through it all shines the essential quality that has always made Mo Dotti stand out in the oversaturated dream pop field: the songs themselves. ALWAYS ALL AGES