Experimental Hip-Hop legends Dälek make a return with their latest record, Brilliance of a Falling Moon. Taking its name from a section of Erik Larson’s 2011 novel In The Garden of Beasts, the record paints a fiery portrait of life and resistance in fascist America. Conceived, composed, and produced by Will Brooks (aka MC dälek) and Mike Mare, Brilliance of a Falling Moon is a sprawling, uncompromising record that speaks to the political timbre of the day. With the announcement, Dälek share the track “Better Than”, which you can listen to below this article. About the single, Dälek says, “Better Than encapsulates the new sound and feel of the record perfectly. It conveys the anger, frustration, and defiance of the moment. Sonically, it is somehow simultaneously, sparse and stripped down, yet complete and dense. A new wall of sound built only of the absolutely necessary elements.”
Recorded in the group’s Deadverse Studios over the course of 2024 and 2025, Brilliance of a Falling Moon’s beats are propelled by brutal, dust-caked drum breaks and cloaked in an ominous, otherworldly atmosphere. Taking aim at everything from The State’s suppression of information to colonialism and Trump’s demonization of immigrants, Brooks’ rhymes are practically burning with outrage at the current state of the world. “The whole project was very influenced by what’s happening in the world and this country,” Brooks reveals. “During the initial days of the I.C.E. raids, it got me thinking. You see those powerful photos from the sixties when Black men were marching with the ‘I AM A MAN’ sandwich board signs. It was powerful then; it’s powerful now”. It is here that the core principle of Brilliance of a Falling Moon can be found. Even amongst the depravity and absurdity of the epoch we’re living in, we have to hold on to the parts of our humanity that push us to reject injustice. Even as we are made to bear witness to unimaginable horrors, we can’t turn away. Brooks explains that if we’re going to survive, we must tap in, remain engaged, and get active. “When you listen to this, I hope you walk away with hope because we’re still fighting, building, and pushing”. Once again the band has teamed up with artists Paul Romano and Mikel Elam for the striking package artwork.
Brilliance of a Falling Moon will be released on March 27th via Ipecac Recordings. Pre-orders are now available here.
Photo credit: Ashkan Sahihi
