Written by Will Gooddy (Phlexx Collective)
‘If You’re There (I Won’t Be There)’ is the new debut single by female-fronted, Nottingham-based band Penny Moon. On hearing the first few bars, you wouldn’t be out of line in thinking you’re listening to a Nirvana track from the 90’s. However, the layered vocals and catchy riffs add a more soothing, muted and overall unique feel, which is balanced brilliantly with the heavy guitar rhythms and punchy drums throughout.
The hook is catchy and confrontational, without being too “in your face”. The song exudes emotion, and will no doubt be a hit with fans at a live gig (I can see the mosh pits already).
Lyrically, it is everything you’d expect from an unapologetically moody track such as this. There is a clear message throughout the song, expressing the undesirable but relatable feeling of dealing with fake friends. The music, alongside the lyrics make these emotions easy for the listener to grasp. Lyrics such as “If you were asked to pick just one, you would take them all and leave me with none” and “Again, I made the same mistakes…” are borderline degrading but allow for a more overwhelming feeling of self-worth and pride when dealing with so called ‘friends’ – something listeners will no doubt be able to relate to.
Overall, the band are an exciting prospect in the world of rock music and ‘If You’re There (I Won’t Be There)’ is a strong start to a promising catalogue of music. Penny Moon’s attitude and rebellious nature is refreshing to see, and the three piece all female band are one to keep an eye on in the future.
