The new album “Conversations with the Moon” by the red-haired queen of alternative country and gothic storytelling, Kitty Coen, is a captivating and delicate tale of loneliness, connection, and the creation of a world you can step into when reality becomes too heavy, as well as nights when it feels like the only thing listening to you is the moon. This darkly beautiful musical novella makes the listener hold their breath and time seem to stop. The brilliant music surprises with its genre diversity, vivid effects, and unexpected melodic twists. And above all this splendor hovers Kitty’s astonishing voice. It is worth noting that the excellent recording quality adds imagery to the music and highlights the vocal performance. By the way, in case you didn’t know, Kitty Coen is no newcomer to the music scene. It all began with her debut EP “Disco Lemonade” (a dusty, audacious alternative pop-rock, you know), and then, three years later, her full-length album “HELLCAT”, released in April 2024, arrived-tense, intimate, and fully immersive. However, now, for anyone who values a combination of beauty, darkness, and mystery, the singer has assembled the perfect selection of 12 tracks in her new album.
“Conversations with the Moon” opens slowly-with the prelude “tell my mother”, sounding like a symphonic overture. After such an introduction, I expected the album to continue in the same vein, but Kitty quickly shifts the mood: on the track “coca!ne jacket”, she steps forward with luxurious vocals and confident energy. Exquisite guitar solos and sharp percussion add a boldness to the track’s atmosphere. Nevertheless, “illinois royalty” is no less impressive than the previous track-it’s undeniably atmospheric, with a captivating melody and vibrating vocals. It adds a bit more character to the album, showing that behind the dark aesthetic, there is something alive and human.
On the tracks “bright eyes” and “virginia is for lovers”, Kitty reveals her best qualities, embracing an unexpectedly delicate, lyrical aesthetic. There are no aggressive guitars here-everything is performed with utmost grace and attention to detail. Throughout the recording, it feels like an emotional explosion is about to happen, yet it never does. Instead, Kitty sings slightly higher, with a vocal that carries fragility, tremor, and melancholy. But my favorite remains the unhurried title track, “conversations with the moon”. It captured me with its verse melodies, the atmosphere of freedom, and its country vibe. The song is perfectly placed in the middle of the album-after the rich and rhythmic tracks of the first half, it sounds especially fresh.
Speaking of contrasts on the album, the next track might be the brightest example: “grave dancin’”-a dark title with an energetic soul! The promised “grave” turns into fun, with banjo, violins, and playful vocals. A musical oxymoron that effortlessly and vividly invites you to dance no matter what! The play with expectations succeeds completely. The country mood with a touch of romance continues on “tonight”. Strings and percussion only enhance this mood, creating the perfect soundtrack for night-time conversations under the stars.
In a similar vein, though slightly slower, sounds the sweet “strawberry” (and, of course, it’s not just the name). Its “sweetness” comes from Kitty’s gentle melody and soft vocals. The chorus is particularly captivating-it evokes nostalgia, adding airiness to the overall sound and diffusing the darker, more contemplative moments. Rough sonic elements and bass create an unexpected atmosphere on the track “growing pains”. The sound becomes fragile and sharp. Due to its unusual dynamics, it seems particularly interesting to me, so I highly recommend paying attention to it.
Meanwhile, the track “the drugs don’t work” entices with its spiritual mood and ambition. It begins unexpectedly: a calm, almost acoustic introduction transforms into a strong and serious piece. Sharp guitars and elongated, trembling vocals create a vivid, hypnotic atmosphere. By the finale, this tension erupts into a true storm: instrumental sections heighten the drama. As if by a snap, we switch from the loud chords of “the drugs don’t work” to the quiet exhaustion of the final track, “memphis man”, with cinematic orchestral music that sounds grand and luminous, as if from the finale of an old movie.
Fortunately, “Conversations with the Moon” doesn’t sound like a chase for hits-because Kitty Coen already has those. Kitty’s position is paradoxical. She does not chase the twists of fashion, yet she doesn’t oppose it, remaining true to herself, fully aware of her place and time. The singer is among the rare modern artists whose creative journey is genuinely exciting to follow. And this phrase-“exciting to follow”-does not refer to pseudo-newsworthy lists of lovers, outfits, or beach photos, but to an aesthetic, creative, and life pursuit. Therefore, there remains only one thing-to eagerly await her next works.
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