Night Moves: Colored Emotions

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – but do tweak here and add some polish there. That’s apparently how psychedelic alt. country Minneapolis three-piece Night Moves approached the release of their major label debut. Colored Emotions previously existed as a free download, somewhat ramshackle in quality but no less charming for it. The label-funded trip to a Los Angeles studio saw largely cosmetic changes like fresh drums, instrumental overdubs and general spit-shining. The end result gains oomph but arguably loses some character along the way.

Make no mistake: Colored Emotions is both a lush and vibrant record, one that playfully swirls and swells Beach Boys-style without ever straying into rip-off territory. However, things often feel too clean. Songs that threaten to take off are instead allowed to peter out. There is little sense of danger.
Nonetheless, when Night Moves connect, they do so in style. ‘Family Tongues’ is a clever marriage of funk and Americana. But opener ‘Headlights’ and lead single ‘Horses’ – two moments that expertly combine country soul with trippy experimentation – are twin peaks. Even slighter tracks like ‘In The Rounds’ and ‘Classical Hearts’ have enough about them to merit attention. All told, there’s much to admire on Colored Emotions.