Dutch artist Charlotte Wessels has shared ‘Incubus’, the first single from Mute Swan Empire, her new album with her band, now named The Obsession. It’s out 5th February 2027 via Napalm Records.
Mute Swan Empire is a concept album in which each of its 15 songs embodies a different archetype, a personified response to the crises of our world. ‘Incubus’ introduces the Insomniac. It’s inspired by Henry Fuseli’s painting The Nightmare and moves between choral soundscapes and heavy instrumentals.
“‘Incubus’ is about the things that keep us awake at night, both literally and figuratively,” says Wessels. “There is also a certain strength in this character and the very act of perseverance.”
The title draws on the myth of the swan song and asks a bleak question: what if, having pushed ourselves so close to collapse, we don’t get one?
“I didn’t want an album that simply points fingers or offers easy answers,” she explains. “I wanted to explore the contradictions, the uncomfortable grey areas, and the possibility that we can change.”
The album was produced with Joost van den Broek, with guitarist Timo Somers playing a big part. Charlotte Wessels’ The Obsession will also play their first ever EU and UK headline tour, starting the day before the album comes out.
