8/10

Since originally starting life as a breakaway group for frontman Ripley Johnson to move away from the work within his formative outfit Wooden Shjips almost a decade ago, Moon Duo have grown from a humble side-project to a venture that he takes more seriously than ever. Working alongside his wife and guitarist Sanae Yamada, the pair have become a staple of the ever-growing psych-rock sound these last few years with a flurry of engaging and captivating full-length releases. But as they release their seventh LP 'Stars Are The Light', it is clear that they have looked to adopt a new sound this time around.

During the build up to this new collection, the duo were constantly explaining that shift in gears as being a retort to the world at large, stating that the planet had changed and so must they. This has given 'Stars Are The Light' a far more dancefloor-friendly vibe that while maintaining plenty of the former tones they have always looked to produce, there is a strong and steady pace to this new release that sees the music separate itself from the rest of their catalogue. Filled with a driven direction and a sense of musical adventure, this new collection looks set to become one of the band's most high-profile records to date.

Although it marks the beginning of a new identity for Moon Duo, fans of their older material will still find plenty to enjoy on 'Stars Are The Light'. It has this wonderfully uplifting and playful attitude running throughout its length, which does become infectious extremely quickly, and makes for one of their most enticing albums of the last few years.