ACROSS
 8. <drink> MOCHA = MO CHA
 9. <farm> SHARECROP = (HORSE CRAP)*
11. <meant> DENOTED = NOT inside DEED
12. MOR_ COIN* = MORONIC <foolish>
13. <unexpected quality> SURPRISAL = S_U_R_ P_R_I_S _A_L
15. HIDE F_ = HI-DEF <with little pixellation>
16. <star> PROXIMA CENTAUTI = PRO XI + (TRUE MANIAC)*
19. "HOMBRE" = OMBRÉ <using gradually changing tone>
21. <prancing> CAVORTING = CA VOTING outside R
23. MONET* outside DD = ODDMENT <curio>
24. <space in front> LEGROOM = LE GROOM
26. ALGERIAN* outside H = ANGEL HAIR <pasta>
27. <French city> REIMS = RIMS outside E

DOWN
 1. <&cd> A MODEST PROPOSAL {work by Jonathan Swift portraying children as edible}
 2. <situation> SCENARIO = SCEN_ + A RIO
 3. <stag> HART = _ART_ after H
 4. <deep cuts> B-SIDES = B_S IDES
 5. ←RAY← MULE outside K = YARMULKE <religious headgear>
 6. DR ON ED = DRONED <sounded monotonous>
 7. ((PIC OF GIL) + GAMES) inside EH = EPIC OF GILGAMES <old story>
10. <mushroom> EARTHSTAR = HATERS* TAR
14. (RALLIES HE)* = RAISE HELL <create disturbance>
17. _A_L_C _A_T_R + AZ = ALCATRAZ <prison>
18. <genuine> UNIRONIC = ←NU← IRON + I C
20. BOA outside D EG_ = BODEGA <corner shop>
22. <way of closing> VELCRO = (.e)VEL CRO(s.)
25. <mentor> GURU = _G _U _R _U