BAKeR, aka Mike Baker, has been in and around the music scene on both sides of the ditch for a long time. I do like it when an artist is still hungry for more, and attacks the scene with something new, unique and personal. That’s what the entire vibe is around new single Moonface, the eponymously titled promo single for his newly released EP.

We’re treated to something that spans Dream Pop, Indie, Pop, and even a touch of psychedelia. We’ve got some jangly guitars, synonymous with the Dream Pop scene, although there’s a touch of discord to this, which adds an acid to the background. This is entirely cool, and is what brings the overall work towards that touch of psychedelia I mentioned. The rhythm section is workman-like in the no-frills, get on with keeping this baby going and breathing life into the bottom end. This is great as it allows the track to provide an almost jazz-like extrapolation to the mind’s ear with regard to where it takes us on our own audio journey. Very clev clev.

Dan Hewson, son of late Dragon founder Paul, drove the twiddling desk up in lovely Kerikeri. He did a masterful job, giving BAKeR licence to chuck some clever, subtle percussive phrases under the overall mix, enhancing the dreaminess. Then comes the vocal. With a melody that’s not intended to weave anything other than a storyline and highlight the highly competent tenor of the man himself, we’re given a tale of… well… something. Is it Wokeness? Is it anti-establishment? Is it the anarchistic challenges to where society is seemingly headed? The NWO. The Great Re-set.

From the EPK: ‘Moonface‘ is a reflection on the current zeitgeist, which sees sectors of society wanting to break away from controlling systems like science, religion, governments, the military and our own individual indoctrinations. If you like, it’s an update for these times reflecting Bob Marley‘s refrain, ” Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery.”

Cool subject. Well, the dreaminess ends with some savage discord, as what initially feels like a middle 8 becomes a fade-out consisting of a changed orchestration and mood, as it becomes very agitated and brings forth a mental picture of dystopia and despair. Markedly different, quite surprising in – fair play – an enjoyable way.

Nice, challenging to safety and still commercially viable. Great intro to BAKeR‘s new EP and evidence of the man’s pedigree. Go check it out on Spotify now.