Jim Piper, the Mastermind Behind Different Moon Releases New Single

Look, I’ve been in this game long enough to know when a so-called “anthem” is just hot air and canned choruses. But every once in a while, something lands in my inbox that actually delivers on the promise of a rock resurrection. “Phoenix Rising Soul” by Different Moon? Yeah, this one’s got teeth.

Jim Piper, the guy behind Different Moon, clearly knows his way around a chorus—and more importantly, around a purpose. This track doesn’t try to be clever. It doesn’t hide behind postmodern fuzz. It comes out swinging, chest out, soul ablaze. “I will never give up, I will never lose”—hell yes, brother. That’s what I’m talking about.

From the first 10 seconds, you know this thing means business. The guitars punch through like jet engines revving up before takeoff. There’s a storm of percussion under it all, like distant thunder catching up to a lightning bolt. And Piper? He’s not here to croon—he’s here to roar. His voice has that road-worn texture, like he’s seen some dark nights and burned through ‘em all.

And don’t think this is just fluff with no substance. The lyrics dig into real hurt, real struggle. “My fears become broken pieces of ashes and fire.” That ain’t just pretty talk—it’s the kind of line you write when life’s kicked you in the ribs and you kept crawling forward anyway. You can feel the lived experience in every line. It’s not about sounding cool. It’s about surviving.

The whole phoenix motif? Works damn well here. Yeah, every third rock band’s done a song about rising from the ashes, but Piper owns it. You believe it because it’s his truth. He ain’t singing about metaphorical fires—he’s singing about crawling out of grief, rebuilding from heartbreak, and turning pain into power.

Production-wise, this thing is slick without being glossy. It still has some dirt under the fingernails, which is how I like my rock. Reminds me a bit of how bands like Journey or Triumph used to balance grandiosity with grit back in the day. There’s flash, sure, but there’s also punch. Piper doesn’t overplay the synths or let the mix get too “safe.” This thing drives.

End of the day? “Phoenix Rising Soul” is an honest-to-God power anthem. It might not reinvent the wheel, but it sure as hell reminds you why the wheel matters. It makes you wanna stand up, throw a fist in the air, and tell the universe: not today, bastard.

Michael Rand