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ALBION

Harp

Albion

    Bella Union are thrilled to release the long-awaited debut solo album Albion by Harp, the adopted name of Tim Smith, formerly the singer and principal songwriter of Texan legends Midlake, who is joined by his wife, Kathi Zung.

    The road to Albion might have been long and winding, and bumpy to boot, but the music Harp has created is steeped in sublime melody, mood, drama and detail, its ten songs and two mood-matching instrumentals framed by a mesh of acoustic/electric guitars, soft shades of keyboards and Smith’s gorgeous voice; in other words, the quintessence of what drew people in the first place to his work with Midlake.

    But Albion has starker, darker hues than Smith is typically renowned for, which lifts Albion to new heights in his canon; likewise, the level of personal revelation. These are songs about the human condition, from love - both lost and found – to faith, anxiety to joy, fear to acceptance, all couched in a highly distinct poetic language.

    Since leaving Midlake, Smith has performed just once, with Lost Horizons (at London’s Festival Hall in 2018), the collective co-founded by Bella Union boss (and former Cocteau Twin) Simon Raymonde, after Smith had contributed vocals and lyrics to “She Led Me Away” for the collective’s 2017 debut Ojalá. Smith subsequently went on to contribute vocals and lyrics for the track “Grey Tower” on Lost Horizons’ second album, In Quiet Moments. Those were all-too-rare sightings of Smith, but Albion’s day has come, and in a manner of speaking, in many aspects of his life, Smith has finally come home.

    STAFF COMMENTS

    Andy says: Tim Smith, genius song writer, from Midlake's golden, 'Van Occupanther' period FINALLY returns. It's been 12 long years but he's delivered an absolute classic. Apparently he became smitten with The Cure's 'Faith' and all things UK alt 80s, and so has combined those epic, lush production sensibilities with his own sometimes folk, sometimes Medieval and sometimes Celtic melodies. Add a touch of Roy Harper and echoes of early 70's folk/prog,(only in feel though, these are still proper "pop" songs) and the result is a deep, doomy but beautiful, melancholy, magical, masterpiece.

    TRACK LISTING

    1. The Pleasant Grey
    2. I Am The Seed
    3. A Fountain
    4. Daughters Of Albion
    5. Chrystals
    6. Country Cathedral Drive
    7. Shining Spires
    8. Silver Wings
    9. Seven Long Suns
    10. Moon
    11. Throne Of Amber
    12. Herstmonceux

    Babyshambles

    Down In Albion

      Following a triumphant and eventful UK tour Rough Trade are proud to announce the release of the most anticipated album of the year: Babyshambles' debut album "Down In Albion". It includes the band's top five hit "Fuck Forever" and a new recording of their first "Killamangiro". The sixteen-track album was produced by Mick Jones and mixed by Mick Jones and Bill Price. There is a vinyl due for release later in the year - it's going to be a strictly limited double with the fourth side etched!


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