Longing often takes the form of an ever-present ghost, hovering between the things we say and the moments we leave unsaid. “In the Moon,” the latest collaborative single from Stray Fossa and Jaguar Sun, navigates the delicate dance between absence and presence, weaving distance into a warm, dreamlike soundscape that effortlessly pulls listeners into its bittersweet orbit.
The track is the product of two dream-pop forces crossing paths and creating something ethereal that reflects the distance in both geography and relationships.
Crafted across three countries—Germany, Canada, and the United States—over a year, the song is as much about physical space as it is about emotional separation.
The lyrics tell a story of the mundane moments that trigger memories, where longing becomes the sole bridge between what is and what was. Whether this longing leads to hopeful reunion or simply remains a wistful reflection depends on how far one is willing to leap for a connection that remains out of reach. It’s this sense of quiet tension that permeates “In the Moon,” echoed by the gradual blend of the two bands’ distinct styles.
The song’s journey started as a demo tossed between the members of Stray Fossa, with Jaguar Sun’s Chris Minielly stepping in to bring a new, unexpected dimension. What began as two separate ideas transformed into one seamless piece of art, like a slow, deliberate transition from dusk to night. As Stray Fossa’s Nick Evans puts it, the challenge was in merging these contrasting elements: “We tried to create as gradual a gradient as possible between our styles, starting in one place and ending somewhere completely different.”
This collaborative process mirrors the thematic core of the song—distance not as an end but as a transformation. Just as “In the Moon” spans continents, it also transcends the borders between styles, blending Stray Fossa’s introspective indie sensibilities with Jaguar Sun’s expansive, atmospheric production. The resulting soundscape is an illustration of how distance, both literal and emotional, can lead to something unexpected and beautiful.
Stray Fossa, now scattered across continents, bring this sense of disconnection into their writing.
The trio, originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, spent years living and working together before parting ways physically in early 2021. Their upcoming sophomore album, Closer Than We’ll Ever Know, is a direct reflection of this shift, both thematically and sonically.
Tracks explore distance in various forms—memories, future hopes, and the space between relationships—while also evolving musically.
Their previous work, With You For Ever, captured the isolation of early 2020, but this new era hints at a cautious optimism, a reemergence from the uncertainty.
Jaguar Sun’s Chris Minielly, on the other hand, continues to create intimate soundscapes from his home in Ontario. His work is known for its ability to balance intricate guitar lines and layered synths with soft, melancholic vocals, drawing inspiration from acts like Youth Lagoon and Frightened Rabbit.
While Minielly’s work is often solitary, his collaboration with Stray Fossa adds a communal element to his sound, creating a lush, immersive atmosphere that pulls listeners into the depths of the song’s emotional core.
“In the Moon” is a meditation on longing and the spaces between us, both seen and unseen. It invites listeners to consider their own experiences with distance—whether it’s the miles that separate, the missed connections, or the moments that slip away unnoticed.
JAGUAR SUN tour dates
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10/15 – Cleveland, OH – Mahalls
10/16 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
10/17 – Indianapolis, IN – Healer
10/18 – Chicago, IL – Schubas
10/20 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St Entry
10/22 – Denver, CO – Meow Wolf
10/24 – Boise, ID – Neurolux
10/25 – Portland, OR – Show Bar
10/26 – Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
10/27 – Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
10/30 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of The Hill
10/31 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
11/1 – San Diego, CA – The Loft
11/2 – Phoenix, AZ – Exit In
11/5 – Austin, TX – The 13th Floor
11/6 – Dallas, Fort Worth, TX – Club Dada
11/7 – Oklahoma City, OK – Resonant Head
11/9 – Nashville, TN – Third Man @ The Blue Room
11/12 – Washington, DC – DC9
11/13 – Brooklyn, NY – The Sultan Room
11/14 – Boston, MA – Warehouse XI
11/15 – Montreal, QC – Casa del Popolo x BSTB
11/16 – Toronto, ON – The Baby G
11/17 – Detroit, MI – Lager House
