Cult Swedish progressive rockers Beardfish began playing their first live shows together this year since breaking up in 2016, and have subsequently announced the release of a brand new studio album titled Songs For Beating Hearts due on the 1st November 2024 via InsideOutMusic.
The band follows this news with the launch the opening part of the album’s epic centrepiece, ‘Out In The Open’.
Beardfish founding member Rikard Sjöblom commented: “’Out in the Open’ was one of the very first songs we started working on for Songs For Beating Hearts and musically it’s a real trip! It’s a 20 minute epic divided into five parts that range from quintessential Beardfish-esque melodies and themes to dreamy soundscapes, folky elements and heavy rock.
“Something that’s always been very important for us with these kind of songs are returning themes and this one has them all over the place, sometimes obvious ones but some of them are reworked and just subtle hints. Lyrically the song follows the love theme of the album and deals with finding your way back in relationships after falling out. There’s also a part that’s almost like a testament to ones hopes and dreams.
“On digital and streaming services the song is divided into five parts and the first part, that you can listen to here, is an overture that sets the tone for what’s to follow!”
You can check out the video for that here at RAMzine, as you can the album’s earlier single releases, ‘Torrential Downpour’ and ‘In The Autumn’.
‘In The Autumn’ is a duet between Rikard Sjöblom and guest vocalist Amanda Örtenhag.
Originally forming back in 2001, Beardfish released eight studios albums up until their disbandment. The reformed band features Rikard Sjöblom, David Zackrisson, Magnus Östgren and Robert Hansen.
“I think the reunion became an idea in 2021, a few years ago,” explained Sjöblom. “We started talking about doing something. People had made amends, and I guess everyone started missing being in a band together, and missing each other! We all kept in touch, and things ended up on the right foot in many aspects, and then we started talking about maybe meeting up and trying to play something. I had a couple of new songs written, and they really sounded like Beardfish, and I had some instrumental doodles that I was working on. So, we met up and tried to play. The first thing we played was ‘Without Saying Anything’ from Mammoth, and we started jamming and it felt like home, even after many years. I felt like, ‘These are my brothers!’
With strong echoes of past glories but a whole new vibe of wistful wonderment, Songs For Beating Hearts is said to be “a glowing testament to the magic that happens when these four musicians join forces”. From the dreamy melancholy of the opening ‘Ecotone’ and the intricate opulence of five-part sprawl ‘Out In The Open’, to the prog-friendly pastoralism of bittersweet 11-minute epic ‘Beating Hearts’, and the sobering prog-noir of the closing ‘Torrential Downpour’, hose in the know say Beardfish has not just made their strongest work to date, but also their most emotionally resonant. Loosely held together by thoughts of love, loss, friendship and finality, Songs For Beating Hearts is the sound of four kindred spirits laying their hearts bare.
The full track-listing is as follows: ‘Ecotone’, ‘Out in the Open’, ‘Beating Hearts’, ‘In The Autumn’, Ecotone (Reprise)’, ‘Torrential Downpour’ and ‘Ecotone – Norrsken 1982 edition (Bonus Track)’.
Songs For Beating Hearts will be available as a limited CD digipak (including one bonus track), gatefold LP & as a digital album, all featuring artwork from longtime collaborator Spencer Keala Bowden, and can be pre-ordered now here.
Beardfish will be performing on 2025’s Cruise To The Edge.
