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Boston-based songwriter Tim Oxton tends to get sentimental with his more familiar outfit, Wakes. With Luna Dares, the sentiments remain earnest, but are given the backseat to more experimental melodies. “Canobie Car Ride,” for example, takes a solely instrumental approach, finding a vintage synth-like groove, reminiscent of the more vibrant Tops material. While it doesn’t seem like a feel-good album, it’s about as feel-good as Oxton gets in his songwriting, from the surfier takes, to the “Stand By Me” style sway of “Year After Year,” which casts an ominous gaze over typically bubblegum pop. Oxton makes the most out of his lo-fi bedroom recordings, giving the impression that he could really shine if given the resources to do so.
