Villages Announce New Album Dark Island
Out February 17 via Sonic Records
Share Uplifting New Single “Love Will Live On”
Canadian folk-rock quartet Villages have announced their new studio album Dark Island, out February 17, 2023 via Sonic Records. Villages have also shared their new single “Love Will Live On,” a gently rolling foot-stomper about the hard times of modern-day life that was praised by Atwood Magazine, who said that the track “emphasizes the charm of simple living.” “Love Will Live On” arrives with a cinematic music video, directed by filmmaker Justin Oakey.
“We all have those moments where you just want to drop everything and leave it all behind,” says Villages, made up of members Matt Ellis, Travis Ellis, Jon Pearo and Archie Rankin. “‘Love Will Live On’ is a daydream on just how good it could be if you actually did it.”
“Love Will Live On” is the first offering from the band’s upcoming album Dark Island, which sees them penning a euphoric and reverent love letter to their native Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. Produced by JUNO-winning composer and producer Joshua Van Tassel (David Myles, Great Lake Swimmers, Fortunate Ones), who directed the band to play the songs fully live off the floor, Villages' forthcoming album results in a type of Celtic music that respects its heritage while taking sonic chances. These musical risks can be credited to the band's early influences like indie rockers Teenage Fanclub and Belle and Sebastian, as well as their previous incarnation as the acclaimed indie-rock band Mardeen.
Lyrically, nature is a dominant theme on Dark Island, painting a wild and beautiful landscape for listeners with vivid images of fields, waves, trees, rivers and rocks, presenting this as a kind of soundtrack to island life, and an immersive experience where everyone can feel at home. For the members of Villages, that sense of home is soundtracked by traditional Celtic music, and to create new music that faithfully honors their roots is no small feat and no small responsibility. With this in mind, Dark Island showcases the band embracing their musical sweet spot – expertly melding timeless tradition with an infectious rebellious spirit.
Villages' self-titled debut took a deep dive into the haunting and meandering melodies of the Cape Breton Highlands and presented them through atmospheric arrangements that bring to mind groups like The War on Drugs and Fleet Foxes. Described as "the perfect sunrise soundtrack" (The Line of Best Fit), the band’s 2020 EP Upon the Horizon built onto their unique sound and was mixed by Phil Ek (Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes).
Dark Island Tracklist:
1. Wearing Through the Pine
2. Love Will Live On
3. Easy When You Know How
4. Dawnless Nights
5. Lost Again
6. Willow
7. Flower of the Morning
8. Play the Fiddle All Night
9. Pink & Grey
10. Mother
11. Rocks in the Field
Villages:
Photo / Credit: Matt Horseman
Missing Piece Group
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