Irish quartet Overhead, The Albatross have spent over fifteen years becoming specialists in producing stunning, cinematic post-rock. Having quietly released a handful of EPs in their formative years, 2016 saw them deliver their debut album – ‘Learning to Growl’. It allowed the Dublin-based group to soar through tender flourishes and emotional transitions. This past Friday (November 15th), they delivered its follow-up – ‘I Leave You This’.
After reconvening after a hiatus in 2022, Overhead, The Albatross‘ second album allows the four-piece to expand from their post-rock foundations, taking in elements of prog, math-rock, and electronic across its sprawling hour-long journey. At its core is a heart-wrenching tone of reflection, wrapped in familiar grandeur. A raw narrative of contemplation instantly appears on the twinkling ‘A Letter’s spoken word monologue.
As the album moves forward, it offers compelling, layered moments such as ‘Your Last Breath’ and the ethereal trance of ‘L’appel du Vide’. Whereas ‘At Sea’ blends sweeping strings and synth with glitchy vocals yet never loses its emotional purpose. ‘Hibakusha’ bubbles with a hardened rhythm section, building a dazzling wall of sound. ‘This Is Like Love’ sees OTA flourish in percussive electronic, building a whirlwind of tension in the process.
By combining their post-rock origins with, at times colourful, experimentation, ‘I Leave You This’ allows Overhead, The Albatross to deliver a textured and emotional record. More importantly, it delivers an experience that proves more compelling with each listen.
With the album out in the open and ready to be consumed, Overhead, The Albatross has provided Already Heard with an insight into what ‘I Leave You This” 10 tracks are all about.
‘I Leave You This’ explores life, love, loss, and the cyclical nature of existence, from despair to unbridled optimism.
A Letter
The opening track sets the tone for the album. It’s written as a message to the newborn children in the band’s lives, it shares advice and reflections for their journey ahead.
Your Last Breath
This is a song about death, loss, and our connection across time and space through the molecules we share and the air we breathe. It concludes with a eulogy to a departed parent, celebrating their memory.
Welcome Home
Celebrating the joy of birth, this track follows ‘Your Last Breath’ to highlight the cycle of life. It features audio from our guitarist and his wife’s ultrasound, capturing the wonder of new beginnings as they started a new chapter of their lives together, preparing to welcome their firstborn into the world.
L’appel du Vide
This one is all about seizing life with energy and wonder. It draws on the French concept of “the call of the void,” the fleeting urge to act impulsively, and at times, self-destructively. It reminds us to embrace life as we navigate its complexities.
At Sea
Reflecting life’s unpredictability, this track reminds us that moments of despair can be followed by incredible beauty. Even in the depths of anxiety, hope and inspiration are always possible.
Hibakusha
Named after survivors of the nuclear bombings in Japan, this song celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. It ends with a spoken word piece in Japanese, offering hope and optimism even in the darkest of times.
Miss Na Kita
This track reflects on fond memories of the past. Featuring the Filipino chant, the Pabasa ng pasyon, it weaves a wistful lead melody with the traditional Filipino percussion instrument the kulintang.
This is Like Love
Capturing the messy, vibrant energy of relationships, this song explores falling in and out of love, and the ensuing whirlwind of shared emotion and energy. The title is taken from an old interview with UK drum ‘n’ bass DJ Goldie.
Paul Lynch
It’s dedicated to a friend who passed away during the album’s creation. This song celebrates the impact one life can have. Paul was instrumental in the reformation of the band and the creation of the album. It ends with a chant promising that we will all meet again.
A Letter 2
Closing the album, ‘A Letter 2’ shares a Filipino folk tale recited by Dave’s daughter, Chloe. It reminds us to savour life’s fleeting moments and trust our instincts as we navigate the journey ahead.
‘I Leave You This’ by Overhead, The Albatross is available now on Nice Weather For Airstrikes.
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