Recorded on a selection of Tascam Portastudios between 1981 and 1987, Luna Landings offers a unique insight into the China Crisis singer’s methods
“I CAN HEAR WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO, AND EVERYONE I WAS INFLUENCED BY – TALKING HEADS, ENO, HAROLD BUDD… BUT ENO WAS IN MANHATTAN IN 1978 AND I WAS IN MY BEDROOM IN KIRKBY IN 1980”
It took Gary Daly four decades to release his debut solo album, Gone From Here, and it became one of the standout recordings of 2019. Now, less than a year on, we have a second arrival… and it’s very different. Luna Landings is a compilation of more than 20 synth tracks, all created in the 80s, many during the height of China Crisis’ success. Produced on a four-track with a minimal synth set-up, the music varies from Eno-inspired ambience to beats, sounds and textures recognisable from many a Crisis record. It’s a diary of experimentation and synth-pop whimsicality, a set of instrumentals that act as both the antithesis and ingredients for the poppier side of the band in that decade.