LA LUNE showcases raw depiction of detachment with “expressionless” performance

Shoegaze group La Lune has introduced their latest single “expressionless” along with a music video, providing a sneak peek into their upcoming EP titled everything is an eternal circle, and it repeats and repeats, which is expected to be released on May 8, 2025, through Play Dead. The band is ready to celebrate the release of this EP with a show at the Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver on May 9.
Featuring an intense blend of distorted guitars and bold drums, “expressionless” showcases La Lune’s evolving sound by bringing Ethan Rebalkin’s vocals to the forefront. This adjustment injects a more intense emotional element into the song, focusing on the disquieting cycles of depersonalization and derealization. Rebalkin himself describes the song as a direct reflection of his struggles with depersonalization and derealization disorder, recounting his journey of losing his sense of self, battling self-pity, and attempting to rebuild himself while still feeling incomplete.
The track aptly captures these spirals of detachment with Rebalkin highlighting a specific image that played a crucial role in shaping the pre-chorus of the song. As Rebalkin shares, during his initial experiences with the disorder, he often found himself fixated on staring at his ceiling, imagining his face devoid of emotion when speaking. These thoughts inspired the lyrics “staring, I’m half asleep, teething on a blank expression.”
The lyrics distinctly communicate feelings of dissociation, where the protagonist traces patterns on the ceiling, struggles with fleeting memories, and yearns for reality. Despite moments of self-awareness piercing through the melancholic aura of the song, the detachment persists as a prevailing theme. La Lune emphasizes that “expressionless” delves into the persistent sense of unfamiliarity with oneself and the world, the detachment that sets in when everything seems surreal, and the guilt that accompanies the process of self-restoration.
The music video for the track, directed and edited by Nima Walker, effectively captures this eerie mood visually, enhancing the themes of isolation and disconnection without overt explanation. This visual representation complements the emotional depth of the song, intensifying its impact on the audience.
Following the release of “expressionless,” La Lune proceeded to record two additional songs with Colin Stewart at The Hive, hinting at a sustained momentum from their debut EP “disparity” in 2024. The band’s upcoming EP signifies a deeper exploration of emotional complexities, highlighting their inclination towards introspective narratives rather than superficial catharsis.
“Everything is an eternal circle, and it repeats and repeats” promises to delve further into the emotional landscapes La Lune is eager to explore, underscoring their commitment to unraveling the intricate, repetitive loops of personal experience. Through their music, La Lune aspires to navigate the depths of human emotion, inviting listeners on a profound and introspective journey.