Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
A reflective lo-fi track exploring themes of paternal abandonment, mortality, and nostalgia through heartfelt lyrics and evocative guitar work.
Hear it the way it was made
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Moods: melancholy, nostalgic, reflective
Traditions: indie rock, lo-fi
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 6/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.
Sudden changes: mild. There are one or two transitions worth knowing about, though they're musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.
Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.
Predictability is high — the song telegraphs what it will do next. A sensory-sensitive listener can usually guess where it's going without close attention.
Vocal style: soft vocals.
Where this sits in Mac DeMarco's catalog
We have 41 songs from Mac DeMarco in the library. Of those, 33 are rated Safe, 8 Moderate, and 0 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 6/10 sits above the artist average of 4.2, making it the #4 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from This Old Dog
We have 12 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans safe in sensory profile.
- My Old Man — safe DR 4
- Still Beating — safe DR 3
- On the Level — safe DR 4
- This Old Dog — safe DR 4
- For the First Time — safe DR 4
- One More Love Song — safe DR 3
- Baby You're Out — safe DR 4
- Watching Him Fade Away — safe DR 4
- A Wolf Who Wears Sheeps Clothes — safe DR 4
- The Stars Keep On Calling My Name — safe DR 5
- A Wolf Who Wears Sheepskin — moderate DR 5
2017 context
Released in 2017. We have 461 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.0/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 2010s.
Explore by mood and tradition
Why this rating
We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.
Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-13. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.
Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.
Frequently asked about "Moonlight on the River"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "Moonlight on the River" by Mac DeMarco?
"Moonlight on the River" by Mac DeMarco rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 6/10, mild sudden changes, layered texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.
How loud is "Moonlight on the River" — what is its dynamic range?
"Moonlight on the River" has a dynamic range of 6/10. Noticeable climb from quiet sections to loudest point. Set opening volume slightly lower than your preferred peak.
Does "Moonlight on the River" have sudden or surprising changes?
"Moonlight on the River" has mild sudden changes — one or two transitions worth knowing about, but they are musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.
What is "Moonlight on the River" best for?
In our library "Moonlight on the River" is recommended for: anxiety relief, deep listening, relaxation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "Moonlight on the River" released?
"Moonlight on the River" is from 2017, on the album "This Old Dog". It appears in our 2010s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "Moonlight on the River"?
We tag "Moonlight on the River" as melancholy, nostalgic, reflective. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "Moonlight on the River"?
The vocal style is soft vocals.
Should I listen to "Moonlight on the River"?
"Moonlight on the River" is Moderate intensity — fine for most listeners, but with enough dynamic activity that it works best as active listening rather than background.
Songs with the same DNA
layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
Dirty Three
DR 7
Janis Joplin
DR 7
13th Floor Elevators
DR 7
Bronski Beat
DR 6
John Lee Hooker
DR 6
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD)
DR 6
Safer alternatives with a similar feel
These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.
What this song means to people
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