Growing up is hard, and moondoggy bring you along for the ride with their third LP. There’s love, betrayal, encouragement, and even a cautionary tale or two mixed in – so grab your camping shoes, and let’s make some s’mores while we talk about it all ‘Around the Fire.’

Stream: ‘Around the Fire’ – moondoggy

Over the past three years, moondoggy have been building something special.

The Toronto-based group released their first album in 2023, and just came out with their third LP, Around the Fire on March 6. The record has already amassed one million streams in around a week. For a band that’s still on the rise, that statistic proves one thing: they’re a group you should keep your eye on. Hearing about this accomplishment felt a little shocking, but not for the reasons you may think.

With the breakout success of different indie rock acts this year, the genre has stolen the hearts of fans new and old. As the indie rock fanbase expands, rising artists are getting the exposure they deserve. There’s a real emphasis on up-and-coming artists, and it seems to all stem from one thing: Connection.

Lots of musicians in this genre aren’t just aware of each other, they tour together, wear each other’s merch, and always cheer for one another. It’s created a sort of community where the support doesn’t end with the bands, instead it starts there. Fans find a group they love, and then immerse themselves within this “family” of musicians and their world. It’s made each fanbase bleed into one another, as they often have the same listeners. The artists within this connected circle also seem to be the ones gaining online traction. They’re featured in online fan posts like “who to watch next” and “listen to these bands if you like this artist.” Since these listeners love so many of these bands, it easily feels like there’s an indie rock “bubble.”

Even with fans and artists lifting each other up, it feels like other groups like moondoggy are being left in the shadows. While they’re thriving and selling out shows, they seem to be missing from any online conversation I’ve seen. It makes me wonder how many people are missing out not just on this band, but their amazing new album.

Around The Fire lives up to its name: It feels just like a warm, crackling fire that you gather around with loved ones.

Even though it emanates a cozy energy, it’s undeniably bittersweet. A fire starts off with stories, sweets, and usually lots of laughter. As the night goes on, the fire must be put out, and the moment slowly fades away. Everyone eventually leaves, there’s nothing left but smoke, and you’re left to navigate what comes next.

Life has its own moments just like this. When the familiarity you’ve always known shifts, and suddenly you’re trying to figure out what comes next. moondoggy represents that turning point with honesty as they themselves navigate through change.

The first song off the record, “All These Years,” is a declaration of timeless love marked by longing and commitment. The song plays like the beginning of a story you’d tell around the campfire. Its descriptive imagery paints a picture just like one of these tales would, and evokes emotion like one too. No matter how much time passes, there’s nothing that could change the connection described in the song: “After all these years, I’m still yours.” Even though they’re simple, those seven words are powerful and indicative of the dedication in the lyrics.

“Everything Is Never Enough” is exactly how it sounds. It follows a man who tries so hard, but never seems to succeed. He can’t seem to say the right thing, is a bit stubborn, and is holding onto his friendships by a thread. Even though he knows something’s wrong, he refuses to talk about it. Each line adds a new detail, and honestly, makes me ask a new question. Is this about self-worth, a woman’s perspective on a relationship, or really just a guy that can’t get it right?

The third track, “Cut and Dried” is about struggling with patience, waiting, and finding your way as an adult. Society has always held its own series of expectations, specifically about the future. Everyone around you always wants to know what’s next, and the older you get, the more daunting it feels. Instead of waiting for the answers, this song acts as an encouragement to do the opposite. It’s not you versus the world, but rather everyone on the same team trying to figure it out together.

Have you ever met someone who just can’t commit to things? “Still Not There” shows that even after endless chances, change never comes. The singer describes how he’s never fully present, yet still manages to have someone else’s heart.

Well I’ll try not to be late
But after every promise is made
I’m still not there

I’m blown away at how much you’d care
When I’m still not there
No, I’m still not there
And I don’t think I’ll ever be

The song is full of inconsistency, giving the other person just enough hope to think something might shift. The lyrics even catch this cycle of empty promises as the track starts and ends with the same line: “I’ll be home in one week.”

“Grow Up, Move Out” focuses on the moment you leave home and realize how quickly the past begins to fade.

We grow up, then move out and forget all about
Our first loves and their parents’ names
And the last thing we hope when a joke’s not told
Out of shame ain’t a sign that we’re getting old

Moving out of your parent’s house is one of those moments that really mark adulthood. And as you start to enter a new phase of life, it feels like the past is slowly fading away. It becomes easier to focus on the next chapter, and suddenly you’ve left your past behind.

Heard you moved out West,
got a job selling tech
And they named you salesman of the month
Got a girl and a dog and a great big lawn
And it’s all just swell but it feels like

Throughout the song, the lyric, “All we are is closer to the star than we’ve ever been” continually repeats. It feels like a reminder that life is passing by in front of our eyes, and every day we’re getting closer to something new.

“Not So Grim” can be best described as someone with a “glass half-empty” mindset. It’s about a pessimist who’s not treating themselves properly. They’re lonely, and stuck in a cycle they can’t seem to get out of. The singer reminds this person that everything is “Not So Grim,” even if to them, it feels like the glory days are over. The album then softens with “Stick Around,” a moment of open vulnerability that feels like a plea: “Please, don’t stick around for me.“

A little more on the upbeat side musically, “Never Try It Again” acts as another reason not to fall into peer pressure. While the topic isn’t one to take lightly, this song does a great job of representing what it’s like to be scatter-brained and under the influence. There’s this inner dialogue that’s kind of hard to follow, and that’s exactly the point. The person is caught between this push and pull, and brings the listener with them through all of the chaos.

Then comes “Hanging Off The Mezzanine,” which depicts the unexpected betrayal of someone utterly disappearing. The last track on the album, “Isn’t Life Too Long,” highlights how focusing on one thing in life is almost a setup for disappointment, which is shown by the song’s example of a teenager. She first starts off being 17, hoping one day just to get out of her town and be a star. Later in the track, it flashes to her now being 23 and getting away, yet she’s still unsatisfied.

Around The Fire feels like a storybook of valuable experiences just waiting to be told.

As the band navigated adulthood by themselves, they left future generations a collection of memories and lessons to hold onto.

Their third album is nostalgic, yet timeless in a way. It’s not just relatable to a certain audience, but to everyone. Whether you’re yet to experience adulthood, or are well past it, you’ll either reminisce or look towards the future while listening to this record.

One day, I’m sure we’ll all be telling stories just like these around the campfire.

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Around the Fire

an album by moondoggy