40 Watt Sun have today unveiled details of their long-awaited second album.Wider than the Skyis the much anticipated follow-up to 2011's critically-laudedThe Inside Room.
Listen to the first clip fromWider than the Skyhere
Once again self-produced by the band, the new songs were recorded over five days at Giant Wafer Studios, isolated deep in the heart of the mid-Wales countryside.
Wider than the Skyhas been an album fraught with delays and difficulties. In a move intended to regain autonomy over their own recordings and future plans as a band,40 Watt Sunhave elected to self release the album via their own label, Radiance Records.
In the spirit of the band's previous music,Wider than the Sky, is imbued with sweeping, soaring melodies yet sparse, minimalist arrangements. However, eschewing the solidifying wall of sound that characterised their debut,40 Watt Suncontinue to progressively explore and broaden their sonic palette.
As expected, Patrick's lyrics, strung with aching introspection and pained nostalgia, hang on his characteristic and poignant vocals and delicate guitar lines, with Christian Leitch's sensitive and nuanced drum-work, and William Spong's thoughtful bass guitar gently revealing themselves in the folds of the songs.
From the majestic, sweeping melodies of slow-building openerStages, to the stark bare-boned crawl ofAnotherRoomand the vulnerable, plaintive balladry of closerMarazion,40 Watt Sunhave created an album of painfully emotive, low-key rock music; one which shimmers with some of the most evocative, stirring songs Patrick Walker has written to date.
Artwork for the release has been created byRebecca Freeman, a Falmouth-based, mixed media artist.
Pre-orders ofWider Than The Skyare available via40 Watt SunHERE, ahead of the scheduled release date,October 14.A 2LP vinyl edition ofWider than the Skywill also be released through Finland'sSvart Records.
"Wider Than The Sky" Track Listing:
1. Stages (16:20)
2. Beyond You (09:42)
3. Another Room (11:56)
4. Pictures (09:50)
5. Craven Road (10:31)
6. Marazion (03:56)
