Chelsea Light Moving - Chelsea Light Moving

Review by Pierre Alexander

Chelsea Light Moving: A Sonic Wrecking Ball That Demands Attention Let’s get one thing straight—Thurston Moore isn’t here to hold your hand. With Chelsea Light Moving, the self-titled debut from his post-Sonic Youth project, he slams together a chaotic cocktail of noise, punk grit, and experimental rock that feels like being punched in the face by someone who just read too much Burroughs (funny enough, there's even a track called "Burroughs"). Released in 2013 on Matador Records, this album is raw, unfiltered, and dripping with attitude—a middle finger to polished pop while still sneaking hooks into your brain. The band—rounded out by Samara Lubelski on bass, John Moloney on drums, and Keith Wood on guitar—rips through nine tracks of abrasive brilliance. But let’s zoom in on two cuts that stick with you long after the needle lifts off the record: “Groovy & Linda” and “Empires of Time.” First up, “Groovy & Linda.” This song hits like a garage door falling shut—it’s messy, loud, and kinda beautiful if you squint hard enough. Thurston’s vocals are buried under layers of distortion, but they don’t need clarity to hit their mark. It’s catchy as hell despite itself, blending snarling guitars with a rhythm section so tight it could choke a snake. You’ll find yourself humming along even though you can barely make out what he’s saying. And honestly? That’s part of its charm. It’s not trying to be perfect; it’s trying to knock you sideways—and damn, does it work. Then there’s “Empires of Time,” which sounds like the apocalypse filtered through an old tape deck. The build-up is slow at first, almost teasing, before exploding into a wall of feedback and pounding drums. If chaos had a soundtrack, this would be it. Every second feels dangerous, like the whole thing might collapse at any moment—and yet, it never does. Instead, it keeps clawing forward, relentless and unstoppable. When the final note fades, you’re left breathless, wondering how something so dissonant can feel so right. This ain’t background music for sipping lattes or whatever. It’s aggressive, unpredictable, and occasionally frustrating—but always compelling. Listening to Chelsea Light Moving feels like getting lost in some weird underground club where everyone smells like cigarettes and spilled beer, and no one gives a shit about rules. And maybe that’s why it works. While other albums try to fit neatly into genres or trends, this one spits in the face of convention. It’s not for everyone, sure, but if you’ve got ears that crave intensity and unpredictability, you won’t forget it anytime soon. Oh, and here’s the kicker: I listened to this album twice in a row, and now my cat won’t stop staring at me like I’ve gone insane. Coincidence? Probably not.

Download Chelsea Light Moving - Chelsea Light Moving

Artist: Chelsea Light Moving
Album: Chelsea Light Moving

2013

Rating: 3.82

Review
About Album
Download
Tracks
Video
Images
Catalog Numbers
Labels
Listen online
Formats
Companies
Credits
Notes
Barcodes
About Artist
Interesting fact
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: chelsea-light-moving-chelsea-light-moving.zip

MP3 size: 79.5 mb
FLAC size: 718.5 mb

Download

Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Sleeping Where I Fall	5:49
Heavenmetal	2:10
Mohawk	6:50
Alighted	7:49
Groovy	04:35
Groovy + Linda
Groovy & Linda	4:35
Burroughs	6:10
Groovy & Linda	4:35
Empires Of Time
Empires of Time	5:12
Lip	2:36
Communist Eyes	2:26
Frank O'Hara Hit	5:31
Frank O'Hara Hit

Video

Chelsea Light Moving - Burroughs (Music Video)

Chelsea Light Moving - Groovy and Linda (music video)

Images

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Catalog Numbers

ole 1010-1
OLE 1010-2P
OLE 1010-2
OLE 10102J, BGJ 10165
HN1064CD

Labels

Matador
High Note Records

Listen online

ouvir online
écouter en ligne
online anhören
ascolta in linea
lyssna på nätet
kuunnella verkossa
escuchar en línea
online luisteren
lytte på nettet

Formats

Vinyl
LP Vinyl
7"
45 RPM All Media
Album
45 RPM CD
LP
Album Vinyl
Single CD
CDr
Promo
CD

Companies

Role	Company
Phonographic Copyright (p)	Matador Records
Copyright (c)	Matador Records
Published By	Older Poets With Messy Lives Music
Recorded At	Sonelab
Mixed At	Sonelab
Mastered At	Golden Mastering
Lacquer Cut At	Optimal Media GmbH
Pressed By	Optimal Media GmbH

Credits

Role	Credit
Artwork	☮
Bass	Samara Lubelski
Drums	John Moloney
Guitar	Keith Wood
Vocals	Thurston Moore
Layout	Philip Laslett
Mastered By	GOLDEN
Photography By	James Hamilton
Recorded By	Justin Pizzoferrato
Mixed By	Justin Pizzoferrato
Songwriter	Thurston Moore (tracks: A1 to C)
Lacquer Cut By	HL (tracks: A1-B4)
Written-By	Thurston Moore
Lead Vocals	Thurston Moore
Producer	Justin Pizzoferrato
Artwork By	☮

Notes

all songs
Thurston Moore
© 2012-13.
Matador Records, 2013.
℗+ older poets with messy lives music (BMI)
Side D ℗ Crash Course Music and Ruthensmear Music (both administered by BMG/Chrysalis Music - BMI
recorded+mixed sonlab
℗+© 2013 MATADOR RECORDS
Gatefold sleeve. Sleeve has printed artwork on the inside.
Includes a download code for the album in mp3 and flac formats.
Includes a copy of the album on CD.
Includes a CD of entire album.
Comes with sticker, but no download code.
Uniquely watermarked CD-R. Card sleeve.
Official release date is March 4th.
Comes with big orange sticker with song titles and "For Promotional Use Only Sale Or Other Transfer Is Strictly Prohibited" on the back and small orange sticker with "The New Band From Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) Featuring "Burroughs", "Empires of Time" and "Heavenmetal" " on front.
All songs Thurston Moore Ⓟ 2012-13. Ⓟ older poets with messy lives music (BMI). Except "Communist Eyes" written by Darby Crash and Pat Smear Ⓟ Crash Course Music and Ruthensmear Music (both administered by BMG/ Chrysalis Music - BMI).
Released in a Digipak

Barcodes

Barcode (Text): 7 44861 10101 7
Barcode (Scanned): 744861101017
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched): OLE-1010-A Ⓤ
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched): OLE-1010-B
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout, etched): OLE-1031-7-A Ⓤ
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout, etched): OLE-1031-7-B Ⓤ
Matrix / Runout (All sides' runouts, stamped): GOLDEN
Rights Society: BMI
Barcode: 74486101017
Other: 744861101017
Matrix / Runout (Side A, stamped): BD 04770-01 A1 HL
Matrix / Runout (Side B, stamped): BD 04770-02 B1 HL
Matrix / Runout (Side C runout, etched): OLE-1031-7-A Ⓤ BD 03080-02 C1
Matrix / Runout (Side D runout, etched): OLE-1031-7-B Ⓤ BD 03080-02 D1
Matrix / Runout (C and D side's runouts, stamped): GOLDEN
Matrix / Runout (CD): arvato 55405774/OLE1010-2 21
Mastering SID Code (CD): IFPI LB 45
Matrix / Runout (CD): IFPI 0779
Mastering SID Code: IFPI L 909
Mould SID Code: IFPI 2U8G
Matrix / Runout: Z117992 LN OLE 1010-2 TEXT 01
Matrix / Runout (etched): M1S1
Barcode: 7 44861 10102 4
Barcode: 744861101017
Barcode (Scanned): 744861101024
Barcode (Text): 7 44861 10102 4
Matrix / Runout: arvato 55405774/OLE1010-2 21
Label Code: LC 11552
Mastering SID Code: ifpi L909
Matrix / Runout: Z117992 LN OLE 1010-2 TEXT 01 M0S1
Barcode: 4 582214 509297
Barcode: 4 712765 168807

About Chelsea Light Moving

Chelsea Light Moving was an American alternative rock band formed in 2012 in New York. The band consisted of Samara Lubelski, John Moloney, Thurston Moore, and Keith Wood. The band's eponymous debut album was released in 2013 on Matador Records.

Members

Thurston Moore
Samara Lubelski
John Moloney
Keith Wood

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a fun fact: The album *Chelsea Light Moving* by Chelsea Light Moving is like a musical patchwork quilt. It blends genres like Alternative Rock, Post-Punk, and Experimental Rock, creating a sound that feels raw and unpredictable. Thurston Moore, formerly of Sonic Youth, wrote all the tracks and handled lead vocals, bringing his signature avant-garde style. What’s cool is how international the album became—it was released in places as diverse as Taiwan, Japan, and across Europe. Fun detail: the track names are quirky and poetic, like "Frank O'Hara Hit" and "Heavenmetal," adding to the album's eclectic charm. Oh, and here’s a kicker—the artwork credit simply says “☮,” which feels like a little nod to peace in their chaotic, genre-bending noise-rock world.

Comments

myenetemail

2025-03-16

This is a weird one for me. I moved halfway across the country to be in NYC and part of that decision was to be able to see way more Sonic Youth shows. Yes I was there for that brilliant, beautiful show at the waterfront in Brooklyn just weeks before I realized my worst fear was coming true. The illusion of "love" was destroying my favorite band.I always say you should judge an album on its own merits, not on expectations or artist history. So yes. This is a brilliant album. Crunchy, grungy, downtown NY. Everything a downtown poser like like myself could want to make us feel like a city punk, part of the underground art scene.As a Sonic Youth fan though, it's a hard pill to swallow. As you listen to it you just wish Kim and Thurston could overlook their genitalia and emotional BS. You can hear what Lee, Kim and Shelly should be doing to make this a true follow up to "The Eternal".