WE LOST THE SEA have faced considerable challenges in recording their third album, Departure Songs. Being their first release since the passing of their vocalist, Chris Torpy, the album is entirely instrumental, with a heavy focus on evocative composition and intelligently layered instrumentation.
The result is something to behold: with the help of engineer Tim Carr at 301 Studios (Matt Corby, Mere Women, Adrift for Days) WE LOST THE SEA have created an expansive, cinematic masterpiece that shifts between periods of delicate vulnerability and brooding introspection, to peaks of soaring triumph and tragic implosion.
The album is inspired by failed, yet epic and honourable journeys or events throughout history - moments when people have done extraordinary things for the greater good, and for the progress of the human race itself.
As guitarist Matt Harvey explains, “We’re exploring new ground and exploring ourselves in the past two and a bit years since our vocalist Chris went on his own journey. It’s slightly bleak with shimmers of hope and layers of many things. It’s a tribute and a catharsis of emotion and it’s also really honest.”
There is no denying that with Departure Songs, We Lost the Sea have placed themselves at the very forefront of intelligent, instrumental music. This is further solidified with their recent run of international supports, having proved themselves alongside heavyweights such as Boris, Earth, Pelican, and Jakob.
Departure Songs is a musical triumph; a perfectly formed artistic statement from a band who has always sought honest and cathartic self-expression. Fans of groups such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mogwai, Sigur Ros and The Cinematic Orchestra should waste no time in exploring the incredible sonic depth of WE LOST THE SEA’s Departure Songs.
Departure Songs sees release through Bird’s Robe Records and Art As Catharsis on 23 July 2015. Pre-sales, and their debut single, A Gallant Gentleman, are available now.
HOPE DRONE / WE LOST THE SEA East Coast Tour
To celebrate the release of their new double LPs, Sydney's WE LOST THE SEA are teaming up with Brisbane's HOPE DRONE to tour the east coast:
• July 31: Crowbar, Brisbane w/ Lizzard Wizzard, Fvck Mountain
• August 1: Factory Floor, Sydney w/ Serious Beak, Lo! Tanned Christ, Owl Mountain
• August 2: Black Wire Records, Sydney w/ At Dark, Gvrlls, 100 Years of Solitude (WLTS not appearing)
• August 8: Old Bar, Melbourne w/ Fourteen Nights At Sea, Old Love