The Moonlandingz – The Sign of a Man Review

A desire to tell a story and brushes with the high and mighty rock Gods have made The Moonlandingz a fascinating band. From an Iggy Pop feature on their upcoming album to the urgent, feral sound on their much-anticipated return, The Sign of a Man, a continued uptick in quality is almost assured. Adrian Flanagan of the thrilling Acid Klaus project returns, as do the brainiacs behind Interplanetary Class Classics, an album which had equal legendary pull as this upcoming feature-riddled experiment. The Sign of a Man, The Moonlandingz’s first song in several years, puts them right back at the top, an in-form burst of energy which was seemingly just waiting to be unleashed. Familiar faces are already cropping up on the singles to follow, with Nadine Shah featuring on follow-up, Roustabout. No Rocket Required brings the band back down to earth, and what they see is not to their fancy.  

The Sign of a Man gets to the core of that distaste rather brilliantly. Synth-like works with an art-pop edge is what The Sign of a Man provides. It is not just a transition period for the artists involved but a reinvigorated trial of keyboard, vocal and instrumental flavour, which sounds like a revitalised moment for all involved. Catchy bits from The Moonlandingz should be no surprise. Flanagan brought this tone on with Step On My Travelator, and the highlights of The Sign of a Man feel like they have ties to that electronic beat. Incredibly punchy work makes for an intense, fun time. There is no way around it. A first listen to The Sign of a Man does not allow those lyrical flourishes to sink in. A few repeat listens for that sound to truly take hold is not just a necessity, but a real thrill. Engage again and again with the sound and sign of man.  

Those human flourishes are nailed by The Moonlandingz. Each member seems to have aligned their future with The Moonlandingz in mind. Nobody drifted all that far, all that permanently, from the sound here. But it is a welcome break from the expectation, and even then, The Sign of a Man passes with flying covers. Repetition in those vocal breaks between cigs and Coca-Cola, in the travel which has inspired the band, is delightful. Name-dropping Wales, coq au vin recipes, it all comes across with that Sparks or Roxy Music glamour, though the places, spaces, and people mentioned within are the other side of the glam lifestyle. These are the modern-day rockers with artiness at their heart. Cool bass grooves cement that. 

Sign of a man is a common denomination. It is the everyday experience, taken for granted and extrapolated. There is no greater thrill than a petrol station stop-off, a can of fizzy liquid on the way to some far-off place. That much is compartmentalised here, the human nature explored by separating it from reality, giving it a space-age kick which will work wonders for those who recall The Moonlandingz’s earliest works. For newcomers, it offers an instrumentally flavoursome mix, a rooted thrill ride with plenty of potential whirring away. The Moonlandingz do not disappoint with their lead single, and The Sign of a Man is a tremendous entry point into their growing discography.