Indie-folk five-piece Bottlemoth release debut album

Music Review | 23rd Oct, 2024 Bottlemoth Bottlemoth

Following the successful release of the singles Tattoo, You'll Always Have Us // Everything Works Out In the End and Landslides (people change), Indie-folk five-piece Bottlemoth release their hightly anticipaed debut album, Even Us Ghosts.

Commenting on the writing process, vocalist and lyricist Ethan Proctor says;

Even us ghosts' is a step in an unexpected direction for the band. Initially I wanted to make a heavier sounding album, and what we created was something quite different to that initial vision. I was listening to lots of bands like The Wonder Years, the first Four Year Strong records and my favourite record by Manchester Orchestra 'Cope'.
In all of them there is something special in the lyrics and guitar work. It's crunchy, the voices are real and melancholic, and I wanted that in our sound. Rather than chase a sound I thought we wanted, we followed the ideas flowing, and leaning into the unknown took us somewhere we are really proud of. The songs feel honest, but with an energy that is less angsty - remaining hopeful and uplifting.
The arrangements came together around laptops whilst producing and recording, rather than in a loud practice room which was a first for us. This new approach helped to be creative with different instrument pallets, additional layering and gave us time to properly share our ideas.
Lyrically the album explores contemporary themes, digging deep into the complexities of living in your twenties; Coming into your own independence, heartbreak, returning home, navigating mental health and celebrating love, friendships and those who matter most.
Like many of our friends, we'd become twenty somethings living with our families again, and there are a lot of complexities to that; Feeling fortunate to have those people, but the contrasting feeling of becoming a burden. It progressed the themes and images in the writing process, with oceans and 'the deep', a direct comparison to sinking emotionally, and tall skylines being the opposite hopes and joy.
The album title 'Even us ghosts' summarises the record well for just three words. Without speaking for the whole band, across my life I have felt like a ghost in a very loud world. I wouldn't say I'm spiritual, but the comparison I find inspires a lot of topics for writing. In change and challenge, loneliness in the most crowded places, hoping to always be there for those you care for, the feeling you're not enough. That last theme manifests a lot. I don't think we get an answer to the questions of what is enough across our album, but we are talking and that's something.

Bottlemoth - Where Oceans Swallow Your Skies (Youtube)

The album Even Us Ghosts is available through all streaming platforms.

Photo Credit: Memphia Music PR

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