Behold...the Snack Monster

Earth Libraries is very proud to present the ninth album from Philly-based artist, Star Moles.

After a few years of boring, therapized love songs in the pop sphere idealizing romance between individuals who have “worked on themselves” and reached a state of mental, spiritual, physical, and financial wellness (read: purity)Star Moles songwriter and front woman Emily Moales was just so moved by this concept of complicated and messy romance as art. The name Snack Monster was a working title of unknown origin that just stuck. But it’s fitting, since these songs are about love in morsels, craved and devoured and driving you insane. 

The album began as an academic pursuit. Moales  was taking a course on medieval literature when she was introduced to Andreas Capellanus’ Rules of Courtly Love. Initially, she thought it would be a great idea to make a concept album with a song for each rule. As you’ll see, this album has only 7 tracks which isn’t even close to the number of rules there are. But certain rules immediately inspired me and captured my attention. The song “Tides” is about jealousy (Rule 2: He who is not jealous cannot love). The song “Why” is about not starving oneself of love (Rule 8: No one should be deprived of love without the very best of reasons). The song “Rules of the Court” is, as one might assume, about a romance that abides by these rules, many of which reflect on the tormented state of the lover, pining in secrecy and constant fear of losing love.

In Moales’  past collaborations with Kevin Basko (aka Rubber Band Gun), they recorded to analog tape using a reel-to-reel. On Three Chimes, At Silent Palace!, the record prior to Snack Monster, they recorded to tape then layered extensively on top of this digitally. Three Chimes was made deep into the Covid-19 pandemic, and it’s the most lush thing they’ve  ever made. It’s cinematic and sprawling and Kate Bush-esque. Snack Monster was a departure and an escape. They made it at Kevin’s childhood home in New Jersey in late summer 2022, and some in summer 2023. The core tracks of acoustic guitar and vocal were recorded to cassette using a Tascam 234, and for the most part they tried to keep additional layering very grounded. There’s no synthesizer which is a new thing for Star Moles. On Snack Monster, Moales’ vocals intertwine with the nylon string in a stripped-back and vulnerable performance. The guitar and vocal define each other and can’t exist separately—basically the songs are codependent.