Changing leaves, chilly nights, ghost stories, and neutral tones – Autumn is rushing in like a swift current dragging Summer’s warmth back out to sea. And with it comes the perfect debut release to pair with your worn hoodie and a contemplative moment alone at dusk.
Bewilder, the UK duo made up of George Brooks and Thom Wilkinson, are set to release their debut LP From The Eyrie on Friday, October 6th. I will find it hard to believe listeners are not immediately hooked when hearing the opening track “Heavy Sweater.” Melodic and competing riffs guide you slowly into the album’s warmth, with familiar tones and guitar play reminiscent of an early Death Cab for Cutie or an introspective American Football song. This track, consisting of just four sentences, is both beautiful and strategic as it sets the nostalgic, awe, and curious tone for the entire album: “We’re made up of little parts of everyone we’ve ever known,” Brooks sings, “and every time we make a new friend we re-assess what we can change.” Apparent from track 1, this album is often a reflective stroll offering a perspective to nature, memories, and loss.
The influences folded into any given track are difficult to miss. There is that complex layering and melodic poetry mentioned above inspired by American Football and Death Cab, and then there is also muted indie rock coined by bands such like Pinback and early Jimmy Eat World. But what I love about From The Eyrie is that it doesn’t feel derivative. Yes, it’s true, you can tell the emo roots from which this music has grown from, but there is a freshness and excitement that comes with this record that is hard to nail down. It feels like a natural progression of the emo greats rather than a cover band.
This is especially true on the album’s third single, “Home.” From the start, I was convinced this was a folk song. With its swelling intro, raw acoustic strumming, and string accompaniment, the duo keeps you there for a moment before stalling back into its dreamy emo undertones. Then, towards the end, we even have a little bit of get-up-and-go indie rock before settling back down once more for its twinkly fade out. This song spreads itself across so many influences and flexes the incredible talent the duo has in putting forward a new sound with familiarities.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t draw attention to the lyrics on this album. This specific flavor of emo lends itself to deep poetry, and I believe Bewilder understands that assignment. There’s longing and poignant look-backs and colorful curiosity. Each song could stand on its own as a singular poem. The album closer, “Cooperative,” even flexes the duo’s wordplay capabilities. “Run away and stay away, devastated by the way. By the way, did I ever say how I got the money?” they sing as they ease you into what I believe could be a song scraped from the studio floor in some lost recording session for The National.
I’m genuinely excited for the release of From The Eyrie. It feels like it’s meant to be listened to on a Midwest porch as the chilly air takes place of an October sun. If you don’t have a Midwest porch (or perhaps you have one but not the other), don’t fret. It’s welcoming of the daydream as it invites you to turn it up and drift away with it.
From The Eyrie is out everywhere on October 6th. Listen to the latest single here:
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