WHITELANDS – Sunlight Echoes – LP – Transparent Yellow Vinyl [JAN 30]

LP – Standard Limited Transparent Yellow Vinyl.

Whitelands second album Sunlight Echoes builds on their elemental debut that won them fans from Slowdive to David Jonsson with a more expansive sound that takes them out of the shoegaze shadows to somewhere bigger, better and brighter. Produced by long-time collaborator Ian Flynn and mixed by double Grammy Award-winner Eduardo De La Paz (New Order, The Horrors, The Charlatans, The KVB, Drug Store Romeos), there are soaring string arrangements (by Iskra Strings) and Lush guest vocals from labelmate Emma Anderson.

Were coming back with a lot more maturity and realness, says singer and guitarist Etienne Quartey-Papafio of their step up. It shows in how much more emotional our music has become. With maturity comes a new-found confidence, so not only are there stunning melodies everywhere, but Etiennes vocals are front and centre throughout. Its been really cool to watch Etienne push through boundaries, adds bassist Vanessa Govinden. I like the direction weve taken on this album. Were taking a risk. Its half and half. Shes right the first half of the album has an almost Britpop breeziness, that belies the serious subject matter that inspired the songs, while the second half gets heavier, in all senses, with added grit and gravitas.This album is one of enduring, says Etienne of the overarching theme. We had family that were dying, I was broke, there was a shortage of my ADHD medication I was suffering, but not just me, everyone around me was too. The last two years have been challenging, concludes Vanessa. The universe really fucked with us. Thats why there are themes of loss, disconnection, fragmentation and yearning, but on the other side there is also unity and hope.

Sunlight Echoes is a poetic, melodic statement of intent from this formidable band. Whitelands have fought back and triumphed in the face of adversity.

Tracklist:

1. Heat Of The Summer
2. Songbird (Forever)
3. Shibuya Crossing
4. Glance
5. Sparklebaby (feat. Emma Anderson)
6. Blankspace
7. I Am No God, An Effigy
8. Dark Horse
9. Mirrors
10. Golden Daze