MOONRIIVR Deliver Kraut-Rock Tinged Catharsis on New Single “Force of Habit”
MOONRIIVR came together through the natural overlap of two long-standing figures in the Toronto music scene, James Robinson and Gavin Gardiner. Both have spent the past two decades building distinct but complementary careers, and their collaboration feels less like a project being formed and more like two paths finally converging. With Gardiner’s background in indie-folk and analog-heavy production through The Wooden Sky and his work at All Day Coconut, and Robinson’s experience collaborating with artists like Lindi Ortega and Dwayne Gretzky, the duo found common ground in a shared appreciation for vintage tones, tape warmth, and instruments that carry a sense of history.
That foundation carried into their debut MOONRIIVR – Volume 1 (2023), which quickly earned critical attention and brought them to stages across Canada, the UK, and Europe, with praise from outlets like Rolling Stone noting its timeless, cross-era feel. Since then, MOONRIIVR has also expanded into a production duo, working with artists like Peter Dreams, Reuben Bullock, Brandon Wolfe Scott, and Tom Wilson, continuing to refine a sound that feels both familiar and otherworldly—rooted in analog tradition but always reaching toward something more expansive and cinematic.
MOONRIIVR’s “Force of Habit” is an upbeat yet emotionally heavy indie rock single that blends 60s-inspired kraut rock repetition with surf and indie textures. As the second release from their upcoming MOONRIIVR Vol. 2, it follows “You Get Me By” and continues the duo’s exploration of emotional transition, centering on the struggle of letting go of the past and moving toward something new. The track begins in a more restrained, reflective space before gradually building intensity, mirroring the internal push and pull of change.
As it progresses, “Force of Habit” grows increasingly turbulent, with layered instrumentation breaking into distortion and controlled chaos. The contrast between bright, energetic sonics and a heavier emotional undercurrent gives the song its tension, ultimately culminating in a cathartic, noise-driven release that feels both unraveled and intentional.
Make sure you check out “Force of Habit” on Spotify below and on your favorite streaming platform!
Need more MOONRIIVR? Follow on socials!
MOONRIIVR
Spotify | Website | YouTube | Bandcamp
Are there any other projects/albums/movies that you think we should check out? Let us know in the comments! Make sure to follow Modern Neon Media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!
Also, we now have a Discord! Feel free to join the community, and if you have singles you want us to feature you can connect with us there!
Who am I? Just some guy who decided to start writing on the Internet years ago and now operates his own brand and site. Owner/Operator of Modern Neon Media, I make all kinds of niche content to suit my interests at the time. DIY Enthusiast, Brewmaster extraordinaire, and avid freak for geek culture. Follow on my socials for a more “on” version of me.
