Photo by Justin Rix
If you’ve been wondering what happened to Wintersleep, the answer is simple: they went to the desert and came back with a new album.
The Halifax indie rock veterans have released Wishing Moon, their eighth studio album and first full-length record in six years. Following 2019’s In the Land Of, the band took its time before returning with a collection of songs that blends the atmospheric sound longtime fans know with a renewed sense of energy and purpose. [killbeatmusic.com], [killbeatmusic.com]
Part of that fresh energy may come from where the album was made. Rather than recording close to home, Wintersleep headed to producer Nicolas Vernhes’ studio in the Mojave Desert near Pioneertown, California. The setting helped shape an album that feels expansive, reflective, and at times surprisingly urgent. [killbeatmusic.com], [music.youtube.com]
One of the most interesting stories behind the record involves its lead single, “I Got A Feeling.” The band has said the song arrived late in the pre-production process, making its eventual role as the album’s introduction something of a surprise. Sometimes the song that comes in at the eleventh hour ends up being the one that best captures where a band is heading. [killbeatmusic.com]
The 12-track album includes songs such as “Stranger Now,” “Wait for the Tide,” “Abyss,” “You & I,” and the title track “Wishing Moon.” The record balances introspective moments with the soaring melodies and dynamic arrangements that have been a hallmark of the band’s sound since classics like “Weighty Ghost” and “Astronaut.” [winterslee…ndcamp.com], [wintersleep.com]
What may be most impressive is that more than 20 years into their career, Wintersleep are still finding new places to explore creatively. Rather than leaning solely on nostalgia, Wishing Moon shows a band that remains curious, ambitious, and willing to chase inspiration wherever it leads. In this case, that journey happened to lead from the East Coast of Canada to the California desert and back again. [killbeatmusic.com], [killbeatmusic.com]
For fans who have been waiting since In the Land Of, the wait is finally over. Wishing Moon is here, and it sounds like a band that’s still looking forward. [killbeatmusic.com], [wintersleep.com]
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