A pivotal release that explores indie pop rock through a solarpunk lens.
On October 11, 2024, The Winter Sounds will unveil their latest album, ‘Bedazzled, But Not Forgotten,’ through the collaborative efforts of Kitty Kant Collective. The sixth full-length LP by Patrick Keenan, the driving force behind The Winter Sounds, arrives at a time when the band is poised to redefine the boundaries of alternative music. As indie rock and melodic pop converge, Keenan’s sonic invention takes center stage once again.
This ambitious album was born from a tapestry of unreleased demos and fresh creative ideas, marking an evolution in Keenan’s musical journey. “The idea was to revisit old unreleased demos and reconnect with those emotions and salvage what still felt good to hear,” Keenan reflects. In this new project, some demos are reimagined with a contemporary twist, while brand-new compositions emerged organically, painting a sonic portrait that is both reminiscent and innovative.
The album’s lead singles, “Cottagecore” and “Not Everything is a Song,” set to release on September 5 and October 2 respectively, encapsulate what The Winter Sounds are all about. “Cottagecore” explores the alluring yet deceptive charm of withdrawing from society’s challenges. Keenan demonstrates a deep awareness of societal dynamics, expressing that true change arises from hopeful collective action. Meanwhile, “Not Everything is a Song” celebrates the unadulterated beauty of life’s moments and connections, resisting the songwriter’s urge to encapsulate every emotion within a melody, an acknowledgment of the almighty power found in pure existence.‘Bedazzled, But Not Forgotten’ draws inspiration from an array of musical luminaries—New Order, Kate Bush, and Robyn, to name a few—adding retrowave, fuzz-pop, and hyper-pop flourishes to their distinctive sound. It’s no surprise that Keenan recorded and mixed the tracks in his home studio in Pardubice, Czech Republic, with mastering credits to Mario Santana at Out of the Box Recordings, Brooklyn, NY, reflecting a DIY aesthetic deeply embedded in the album’s core.
The Winter Sounds have consistently celebrated ingenuity and innovation since their inception in Athens, Georgia, in 2006. Now rooted in the Czech Republic, the band interprets the artistic essence of solarpunk, a movement aspiring towards a sustainable future through creativity and cooperative survival. Keenan’s artistic mantra in this album resonates with solarpunk ideals; it’s an ongoing dialogue between past influences and future aspirations.
2024 has seen an exciting trajectory for The Winter Sounds, with earlier releases like the ‘Europa’ EP and singles such as “Memory Fades” and “Big Dreams” paving the way for what promises to be a defining moment in their career. Soil deeply nurtured by diverse cultural and genre influences promises ‘Bedazzled, But Not Forgotten’ will captivate both long-time fans and new audiences alike.
As ‘Bedazzled’ prepares to take flight, listeners are invited into a world where indie pop and synth rock bloom with ecological and emotional reverence. The Winter Sounds continue to push boundaries, challenge norms, and redefine the term “alternative.” It’s more than music; it’s a manifesto, a call to action for a brighter tomorrow.
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