“It’s simple rocket science,” The Moles’ Richard Davies, who has been championed by the likes of fellow rock n roll minimalist Robert Pollard, sings off his new collection of indie simple songs called Composition Book. His stuff is genius, like Lou Reed, who he name drops in one of the songs off of this album, with the distillation of emotions (“and I know how it feels”) and the sublimation of made-at-home indie rock fuzz and whir with a decidedly poppy make-up.

This album was actually recorded at his home in Cape Cod on an iPad and mixed by Matt Gerhard in Austin, Texas. Each of the songs, which are often around the three-minute mark, has the same appeal as a Lou Reed song: supremely singable and memorable, even on first listen, and decidedly soulful. A Beatles and Beach Boys’ enthusiast, Davies also references other great ‘70s bands on this album, like the song, “Lost Generation,” in reference to The Who. “Now’s the time to show the world / Exactly who you are / Everything is fine until / It all goes haywire // For the lost generation / Generation X / And Generation Y / Generation Z.”

He’s humbly aware of the far-reaching appeal of his sugary crunch of a music treat, to his generation, yes, but also those coming after him. The Moles have always flown something under the radar of recognition, and Davies is a lawyer by day and a father all the time. “Tragedy begins at home / Or so I’m told.” The album is inspiring and somber in turns, talking about how “Anything can happen / but nothing’s gonna happen.” And asking questions of himself and his listener, like, “Why is my heart / So high in the sky? / Why is the world / So sinful and wild?”

On the song, “One Day,” Davies starts the song plucking each one of the strings on a regularly tuned guitar, making a song every guitarist knows: simple tuning. There are more beautiful sounds, for sure, on the album. But that knowing progression is a hint at Davies’ inner workings. He is a songwriter, through and through, and would appeal to other people who make songwriting a lifetime quest.

In fact, on the last song, “Promised Land,” he sings about his dream adventures getting signed to a British label, and puts the old gospel song in indie rock terms: “Swing low sweet chariot / Come down easy / And take me to the promised land.” There is a fulfillment that Davies finds in writing songs, and it translates for sure to the astute listener. This was a delightful listen and re-listen, and I think it’ll remain in my rotation, throughout the year and might in yours, too.

Order Composition Book HERE