With the release of their second full-length LP Moondancing, Abbotsford, BC’s Animal Souls take a confident step forward into broader sonic landscapes, drawing on past work while pushing boundaries in fresh, compelling ways. Helmed by producer and bassist Michael Fisher, this 12-track album is a lush, genre-defying journey that feels like a celebration of collaboration, musical diversity, and honest, well-crafted songwriting.
At its core, Moondancing feels like more than just an album—it’s a community project, a musical gathering of some of the finest talent from British Columbia’s Fraser Valley and beyond. Featuring a mix of brand-new tracks, previously released singles, and two reimagined songs from their 2021 debut Wisdom of Crowds, this record strikes a careful balance between familiarity and innovation.
Animal Souls isn’t your typical band. Rather than a fixed lineup, it’s a collaborative collective, built around Fisher’s creative vision and the contributions of a rotating roster of guest artists. On Moondancing, this approach shines brightly. Fisher’s bass and production form the grounding center, while guest musicians and vocalists bring distinct flavors and textures to each track.
The result? An album that doesn’t sit comfortably in one genre—but that’s exactly the point. There are touches of jazz, pop, soul, folk, ambient, and progressive rock woven throughout the record. This musical openness is what gives Moondancing its richness and depth.
The album opens with “May’s Song” (featuring Ava Wolsynuk), a gentle and soulful ballad that sets the emotional tone of the album with elegance. Ava’s vocals are soft yet expressive, perfectly matched to the lush, acoustic instrumentation. From the first few notes, it’s clear that this is an album made with care.
“Between the Lines” (featuring Alison Cowie) follows with a slightly more rhythmic energy, blending introspective lyrics with a warm groove. Cowie also shines later on “On My Way,” where her voice adds depth and sincerity to Fisher’s emotive production style.
“Nine Lives,” an instrumental track, stands out as one of the new highlights. Without vocals, the musicianship takes center stage—showcasing Michael Fisher’s ability to build atmosphere purely through melody and texture.
There are also familiar faces—or rather, familiar tracks. “The Lion and the Snake” and “Soul Dance” are both revisited here after first appearing on Wisdom of Crowds. These new versions feel more refined, perhaps more confident, with tighter production and clearer arrangements. It’s like watching an old story told with new wisdom.
“The Kids” (again featuring Wolsynuk) is a standout, both thematically and sonically. With poignant lyrics and a dynamic arrangement, it offers one of the album’s most emotionally resonant moments.
“Lessons of Love” (featuring Mara Hatklin) is another emotional peak. The pairing of Hatklin’s vocals with Fisher’s instrumentation results in a track that’s simultaneously nostalgic and forward-looking—an echo of love’s complexity captured in four and a half minutes.
Meanwhile, the atmospheric “Final Parsec Problem Theory” pushes the album into more experimental territory, merging ambient elements with cinematic vibes. It’s a bold, instrumental piece that shows Fisher’s production strengths on full display.
Michael Fisher himself described Moondancing as “a lifetime of work”—and that sentiment is felt throughout the album. There’s a personal weight here, but it never overshadows the collaborative spirit. Fisher’s production never seeks to dominate; instead, it lifts up his fellow musicians and gives them the space to shine. It’s this quiet generosity, both musically and in ethos, that defines Animal Souls.
The album’s diversity could have easily worked against it, but under Fisher’s guidance, it remains cohesive and compelling. Each track flows naturally into the next, despite genre shifts or guest features. That cohesion is a testament to Fisher’s ability to thread together disparate sounds and ideas into one unified expression.
Moondancing is a beautifully constructed album—both musically and emotionally. It’s reflective, rich, and deeply human. Whether you’re drawn to poetic lyrics, instrumental exploration, or collaborative artistry, there’s something here for you.
Animal Souls may be an independent collective, but their sound is anything but small. With Moondancing, they prove that authentic, artist-driven music still has the power to move people, even in a world dominated by algorithmic playlists and fleeting trends.
This record is a testament to the enduring power of collaboration, artistic integrity, and the kind of music that grows deeper the more you sit with it.
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