Taking a step back (or perhaps forward) from the indie rock anthems he’s best known for as the lead singer and songwriter of The Lonely Forest, John Van Deusen’s solo songs as And The Moon Be Still As Bright are a delightful departure. The three new solo songs recorded in Van Deusen’s laundry room using Garageband and one mic, sound maniacally different, while still highlighting his handiness with a hook.

“Sinking” with its weighty guitar and Van Deusen’s signature helium high vocals, sounds as if it could end up on the next TLF record.

Never leading where you expect it to, “Universal Sigh” features chugging almost tropical percussion and some Frank Valli “ooooohhhhs” straight out of “Walk Like a Man.”

My favorite of the bunch is the droning buzz and heartbeat build up of “Always on Fire,” which recalls both the wintry-yet-warm electronica of Postal Service and the bedroom recordings of Emperor X’s Blythe Archives.

All three, as different as they are, have me looking forward to hearing whatever else is made in Van Deusen’s laundry room.