AOTW: The Rare Occasions – Through Moonshot Eyes

October 3rd, 2024 by Liz Kosik

by Isabelle Braudakis ’25

Album of the Week: The Rare Occasions – Through Moonshot Eyes

Released: September 13, 2024

Rate: 8/10

RIYL: Surf Curse, Yot Club, Joy Again, Vacations

The Rare Occasions are an LA based indie rock band that makes leave their impression on people with
their garage rock anthems and catchy vocal harmonies. Brian McLaughlin (singer) and Luke Imbusch
(drummer) began making music together in their early teen years. They were part of a band called The
Valar, which released 2 EPs and 1 album throughout the course of three years. Later when the two went
to college, the pair Jeremy Cohen (bassist), hence the beginning of The Rare Occasions. This band title
may seem familiar to some because their 2016 song “Notion” went absolutely viral on the social media
platform, TikTok. This track continues to make waves and is featured on Billboard’s alternative charts.

The most listened to track on this album is “Black Ballons”. When I heard this song for the first time, I
was drawn in by the fun and upbeat drumline. The build up to the chorus is so exciting and just makes
you want to jump up and down like no one is watching. My favorite song on the album is “Macaroni
Moon”, this one is a slower tempo song, full of smooth and well blended guitar riffs. It is a sweet little
love song and really easy to enjoy. Another song deserving some recognition is “Darling, The Planets.”
Although the lyrics are devastating, the up-tempo tune is a fun listen. The bridge is my favorite part of the song, it has an incredible build up with a satisfying resolve leading into the final verse and outro.

If you like indie rock, I would definitely recommend this album as it has a variety of fun upbeat songs as
well as slower “in your feels” songs