While the jangle pop revival may be capturing the fickle winds of indie trends as of late, Berlin’s Hanemoon reminds us that the genre’s timeless appeal lies in its power to both uplift and unsettle the soul. On the wistful new single “Deeper Than Down,” mastermind Hans Forster crafts a sun-dappled slice of introspective guitar-pop that burrows far beneath the surface.
As Chris MacFarlane of Jigsaw Records so eloquently puts it, Hanemoon’s sound exists in the “easy-going & melodic Scottish vein” rather than the “rough & shambling Aussie style” that’s become au courant. Forster’s songs eschew lo-fi lo-jinks for a warmly polished, melody-forward approach that calls to mind the chiming splendor of Teenage Fanclub or Guided by Voices at their most hook-savvy.
But beneath the breezy, feel-good facade lies a melancholic undercurrent. “I go deeper than down, going more than underground,” Forster muses, his gentle vocals carrying a wistful edge as the song’s bright guitar figures swirl around him. It’s a poignant acknowledgment of the emotional depths one must sometimes plumb in order to find solace and renewal.
Yet “Deeper Than Down” never wallows in self-pity or existential dread. Even as Forster sings of returning to his “old town” and questioning if “everything’s turning out fine,” the overall mood remains buoyant, almost redemptive. The chorus’ chant-like refrain of “Say everything’s turning out fine/Say everyone’s doing alright” feels like a mantra of resilience, an attempt to will optimism into being.
Hanemoon’s jangly, honey-toned soundscapes provide the perfect sonic canvas for Forster to explore these bittersweet emotional terrains. The track’s cozy, inviting textures prove a soothing balm, even as his lyrics grapple with darker introspections. It’s a dichotomy that mirrors the human experience itself – the eternal dance between light and shadow, hope and despair.
In the end, “Deeper Than Down” stands tall as another impeccably crafted entry in Hanemoon’s growing catalog of melancholy pop gems. Forster reminds us that the most sustaining feel-good music is often the kind that doesn’t shy away from life’s thornier truths, but rather uses melody as a means of charting a path forward. Sometimes you really do have to go deeper than down to find your way back up.
If you liked this track, check out this album:
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