Lunar & The Deception have just released their debut album, The Somnambulist, through X-Ray Sound. The lead single, ‘Ezeru Kazpam,’ will be out on March 6, 2026. The band is fronted by vocalist Britt Xyra Dusk, who uses her experiences growing up in Durban and Nelspruit, South Africa, along with her background in costume design, to create visuals inspired by ancient deities, prophetic sorcerers, and tribal warriors. Percussionist Hedge Seel brings in rhythms influenced by his travels in Southeast Asia and India. Thomas Hammond is in charge of dub production, while Greg Chapter oversees engineering. The band has gained attention by supporting Pussy Riot at Glastonbury Festival in 2016 and 2019, playing at London venues, and joining the 2022 Sync Summit Music Conference. Their earlier single, ‘Your Monsters,‘ premiered on LOCK Magazine, was featured by Nieuweplaat, named Artist of the Week at Richer Sounds, and received a 9/10 rating in Powerplay Magazine.
The album was co-produced with Michael Rendall, known for his work with The Orb, Peter Murphy, and Killing Joke. The Somnambulist cements the band’s place in alt-rock, indie rock, darkwave, dream pop, gothic, and neo-psychedelia, drawing inspiration from artists like Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, Tool, Evanescence, Portishead, and Esben & The Witch.
The lead single, ‘Ezeru Kazpam,’ stands out as a strong example of gothic songwriting. It starts with soft piano notes and a spoken dialogue that addresses how money now dominates daily life. Britt Xyra Dusk follows with haunting vocals that bring a sense of melancholy and dark romance. The percussion adds a steady, hypnotic rhythm, and the guitar riff builds tension as the song grows in intensity. The track reaches a dramatic peak with powerful, echoing guitars before gradually stripping back each layer, returning to the opening piano and vocals. This careful build and release creates a sense of dark romantic tension that sets the tone for the whole album and introduces listeners to its moody, introspective style.
Lunar & The Deception had this to say on the album: “We recorded the album in a secluded studio in Oxfordshire called Woodworm Studios. Originally set-up by David Pegg of Fairport Convention, it is now run by engineer Stuart Jones who did a meticulous job of recording the album with the added benefit of the unique acoustics due to the high ceilings – the studio having been converted from an old church.”
The Somnambulist Tracklist:
1. No More Secrets
2. Ezeru Kazpam
3. Your Monsters
4. The Great Bison
5. Storm
6. Eclipse
7. The Way Down.
8. We Looked The Other Way
Stream The Somnambulist:
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