Vancouver experimental shoegaze band La Lune have released their latest record with the aptly titled everything is an eternal circle and it repeats and repeats itself. One can argue that the EP celebrates exactly that, history has patterns and human beings are cyclical in nature – we ought to find ways to be truly present, feel it all, attempt to learn, and find ways to enjoy the ride.

Since their formation in 2022, La Lune continues to redefine the shoegaze genre through a focus on improvisation and the use of unexpected and experimental sonic elements. The band draws from a variety of influences across genres from Slint, to My Bloody Valentine, to the Microphones, and defies the norms of shoegaze by incorporating elements of indie, 90’s rock, and alt rock/pop. everything is an eternal circle and it repeats and repeats itself is another incredible feat by the talented crew made up of Ethan Rebalkin (writer, composer, producer, guitarist, vocalist), Ben Lock (writer, composer, producer, guitarist), Olivia-Grace Wells (writer, composer, producer, bassist, singer), Taylor Pawsey (writer, composer, producer, drummer, guitarist), and Stuart McKillop (engineer, masterer, mixer).

The EP starts with track ‘new swell,’ and eases in with raw guitar strumming and comforting white-noise, that sets the tone for what’s to come. It sounds like the preparation for an unknown adventure, before jumping into ‘quiet considerations.’ Barely-there vocals dance on top of the guitar-heavy, driving verses, with some gentle relief in the echoing chorus. There is a call and response through the playful instrumentation delivering a complex, introspective conversation between friends. ‘expressionless’ balances a similar cutting push and pull of tension through use of muddy, warm guitars and still moments for light, wispy vocals. Next up is a fifteen second instrumental piece of ringing feedback, featuring the growl of what we can assume to be a big cat, titled ‘raaaawr XD.’ This break forces the listener awake and to reset.

With incredible performances throughout the record, La Lune’s members speak to each other in total clarity through their unique playing style and writing. ‘falling to’ is a stand-out off of the EP, and is reminiscent of early 90’s rock, with rich, nostalgic tones and bare guitars that lead us out in a wandering melody that repeats and repeats, before disappearing. The title track ‘are we over yet’ begins with a cool riff that we continue to revisit, creating a sense of familiarity. The blending of boomy guitars and angelic, ambient harmonies makes for an interesting dynamic, before being thrown into a dark, chaotic crescendo of dissonance. The final track ‘the ache,’ dives in with layered, bright guitars and punching drums. The band builds and builds the final ending together until it’s abruptly cut.

La Lune has mastered a formula of captivating and distinct movement, musicality, and intimate storytelling throughout everything is an eternal circle and it repeats and repeats itself. With heavy beginnings, some quiet moments of reflections, often-times dissection towards its climax, and sometimes a messy breaking-into-pieces before finally resolving, the record proves once again how polished and diverse the group can be.

Order everything is an eternal circle and it repeats and repeats itself HERE