New Instrumental Single from Lesoir

Five-piece Dutch band Lesoir follow the release of their sixth album, Push Back The Horizon, on V2 Records (home of Skunk Anansie, Kaiser Chiefs and Ane Brun) with a new single; ‘Aeon‘.

“‘Aeon’ is Lesoir‘s ultimate road track. The song is a mishmash of different styles and vibes, all resonating from the musical tastes of the different band members,” the band commented.

“Lesoir has an instrumental track on every album, and this is always the real cherry on top for fans.  ‘Aeon’ mixes poppy funk, drum and bass with energetic riffs, synthy arpeggiators and Thin Lizzy style leads. Accompanied by a video clip created by Thomas Hicks (Skunk Anansie), it’s a trip down the sunset strip.”

Out on all digital platforms here, you can check out the video here at RAMzine.

It follows previous single ‘Under The Stars’, out on all digital platforms here, with a live video you can view here at RAMzine. Lesoir singer and multi-instrumentalist Maartje Meessen discussed the story behind it coming together.

“When my daughter was a baby, she often napped outside, even in the rain. The sounds of nature soothed her, and she continued sleeping outside at daycare. Fresh air is beneficial, helping produce melatonin for deeper sleep. I sometimes choose to sleep under the stars, feeling at peace and connected to nature, embraced by the sky and earth with just a woolen blanket between.

“However, what if sleeping outside isn’t a choice? Refugees fleeing war face this harsh reality. Without shelters, they are vulnerable, scared, and unable to protect their children. Essential items, like a warm blanket, are luxuries. Each day is a struggle for survival, with no rest or security. We see these images on TV, yet often fail to empathize, considering it a distant problem.

“Refugees reach our borders seeking safety, but our systems are slow and inadequate, leaving them stranded. People protest their presence, ignoring the innocent children who are victims of circumstance. These children lack basic necessities, education, and safety, making them question if they are better off in their war-torn homes.

“Without experiencing war ourselves, we find it hard to relate. Our past generations, who lived through war, have nearly passed, leaving us without firsthand stories of survival. It’s easy to ignore the plight of refugees, yet we should remember that safety and shelter are basic human needs.

“Reflecting on my grandfather’s stories of surviving two wars, I wish I had learned more. Without this knowledge, we fail to understand the harsh realities of war, where choice doesn’t exist, and survival is a daily battle.”

Previously, ‘What Do You Want From Me?’ was their third single, with the band commenting on it: “In an increasingly hardened political and social climate, a government is increasingly diametrically opposed to its citizens. From that perspective, discontent predominates, and that feeling is reinforced when poverty grows and social securities decline. ‘What Do You Want From Me?’ is about feelings of powerlessness and injustice, which unfortunately more and more people relate to.”

You can check out the video produced by Crystal Spotlight, known for their work with Steven Wilson & many others, here at RAMzine.

Push Back The Horizon is available on CD, LP (black), 2LP (Bloody Mary coloured with ‘Babel’ as a bonus track) and digitally. It features ten songs, composed by the band’s guitarist Ingo Dassen, and lyrics and vocal lines written by singer/multi-instrumentalist Maartje Meessen.

The album was produced by John Cornfield, known for his work with Muse, Kashmir, Razorlight, Supergrass, Robert Plant, New Model Army and Ben Howard, among others. Mastering was done by Steve Kitch, keyboardist with The Pineapple Thief. String compositions and arrangements by Ingo Dassen, James Merryweather and Maartje Meessen.

Title track ‘Push Back The Horizon’ was earlier released as a single, and was followed by ‘As Long As Your Girls Smile’ that delves into the intricacies of human existence, exploring relationships and life’s complexities. A sometimes, limited control over circumstances adds nuance to the human experience, revealing a collective tipping point.

You can stream the single here and check out the video here at RAMzine.

The album offers a snapshot of relatable stories, emphasizing life’s potential for both thoughtful moments and unexpected events that provide glimmers of hope. Centered on family and brotherhood, it transcends geographical boundaries, highlighting the power of collective action. Instead of dwelling on the past, the album encourages a forward-looking perspective, urging a collective effort to try again for a better outcome.

Formed in 2009, hailing from Maastricht, Netherlands, Lesoir has always had a professional DIY mentality, and over the four years built a team around them with Glassville Music as their management and bookings agent worldwide. This gives the band the opportunity to focus on their marketing and performance. The band has been completely self-supporting on social media, partly produces its own videos, has a permanent in-house crew, its own mixing desk, IEM, microphone, backline, transport and is equipped to play a show anywhere. For years, the band has been proactive in getting the story of and behind the band across the stage online and offline.

In 2019, the band toured for five weeks with progressive rock band Riverside. After the tour, the band made a real splash within the scene and Mosaic, their subsequent self-released album, with the help of Glassville Records, met with praise, landing on several annual charts.

The band had about 20 headline shows lined up when the pandemic broke out. When touring was temporarily no longer an option, the band used its time to release the 20-minute-and-20-second epic ‘Babel’ on a limited handmade etched vinyl. The 250 pieces were independently released and sold out within four weeks.

Push Back The Horizon can be ordered here.