Moons Poet finds strength beneath the surface on new album 'Underground Potato'

There's something fittingly unpolished about 'Underground Potato'. Recorded by Geelong artist Carly O’Dwyer in the spare room of her home, the album draws strength from the conditions it was made in, presenting a body of work shaped by instinct, privacy and the freedom to follow an idea before it becomes overly refined.

Released under her solo project Moons Poet, the record moves through questions of mental health, love, political unease and recovery without forcing those concerns into a single narrative. Its emotional world is broad, but the writing remains personal enough to feel grounded.

The influence of Mazzy Star, PJ Harvey and Joni Mitchell can be heard in its combination of atmosphere, directness and emotional ambiguity, but 'Underground Potato' never feels like an exercise in imitation. Her sensibility is more homespun and deliberately loose, with songs that appear to have been captured while they were still developing.

Among the album’s strongest moments is opener ‘Firehorse’, a song built around ideas of courage, renewal and forward movement. Its symbolism is broad enough to avoid becoming overly literal, with the image of the firehorse functioning as both a personal and spiritual figure. It represents the capacity to move through pain without allowing that pain to become permanent.

Across the album, the DIY recording process becomes part of the artistic language. There's spontaneity in the performances and an absence of unnecessary ornamentation, creating the impression that we are hearing the songs close to their original emotional source. At times, that looseness may divide those who prefer cleaner production, but it's also what gives the record its identity.

Ultimately, 'Underground Potato' captures an artist working without external pressure, trusting instinct over convention and allowing imperfection to carry meaning. For Moons Poet, the act of digging is about finding value in what has been quietly growing out of sight.