Icarus Phoenix, the cult favourites who captured hearts with their 'Son' EP and relentless DIY spirit, have released their fourth studio album, 'I Should Have Known the Things You Never Said', today. The album, recorded amidst personal turmoil and a housing crisis, promises a raw and intimate exploration of heartbreak, loss, and the arduous process of rebuilding one's identity.
Recorded in a whirlwind three-day session at June Audio in Provo, Utah, with producer Jed Jones, the album's creation involved a community effort. Longtime friends Jake Bellows, Justin Pacheco, and Andrew Young contributed their musical talents, while Chaz Prymek and Rocky Cordray added atmospheric layers to the soundscape.
Drew Danburry, the creative force behind Icarus Phoenix, wrote these songs in the aftermath of a painful divorce and a move across the country, leaving behind his eight-year-old son. He reflects on the album's creation, "When confronted with major life changes, we find out who we are at our core. Writing these songs helped me wrap my head around the reality of not just a difficult break-up, but navigating a co-parenting process with a person actively trying to push me out of my son’s life."
The music itself echoes the emotional landscape of the lyrics. It's a captivating blend of melancholic melodies and raw, unfiltered instrumentation. From the soaring, anthemic choruses that evoke a sense of defiant resilience to the quiet, introspective moments that invite the listener to share in the songwriter's vulnerability, the album is a sonic rollercoaster.
The rawness of Danburry's vocals, sometimes soaring with desperation, sometimes hushed with introspection, pulls the listener directly into his world. The instrumentation, a vibrant interplay of guitars, bass, and drums, creates a dynamic backdrop for the emotional narrative, at times swirling with chaotic energy, at times providing a gentle, comforting embrace.
'I Should Have Known the Things You Never Said' isn't simply an album about heartbreak; it's about the courage to face life's challenges head-on and to rebuild oneself from the ground up. It's an intimate journey of self-discovery set to a soundtrack that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting.
Danburry hopes his music will resonate with listeners: "We've all dealt with sadness. With difficulties in life. That's what this album is about." Through sharing his personal struggles, he invites us to confront our own and to find solace in the shared human experience.
Icarus Phoenix's 'I Should Have Known the Things You Never Said' is a testament to the transformative power of music and the resilience of the human spirit. It's an album that will stay with you long after the final notes fade away.
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