Culture
26 Jan 22

LISTEN: Belfast's And So I Watch You From Afar share new track 'IV in Air'

Photo by: Ciara McMullan

And So I Watch You From Afar will release new album 'Jettison' on February 18th, 2022 via Equal Vision Records/Velocity Records.

Belfast-based outfit And So I Watch You From Afar has shared 'IV in Air', the fourth single from their ambitious upcoming multimedia album Jettison.

'IV in Air' appears alongside previously released tracks 'Ill Lung', 'I Dive Pt 1' and 'I Dive Pt 2'.

The instrumental rock quartet has long defied the layman’s definition of post-rock by absorbing new ideas and pushing the boundaries of their intricate and ecstatic guitar-based compositions.

Swirling guitar chords and effervescent percussion introduce 'IV in Air' alongside a gravely spoken word performance from Neil Fallon. The track builds the opening riff into a toe tapping, straight ahead jam that is equal parts danceable and ethereal. Far from just being a soundscape, the song conveys a compelling sense of melody despite its absence of vocals.

Through 40 minutes of sonic exploration spread across nine distinct parts and a visual accompaniment by artist Sam Wiehl, Jettison traverses the various shades of ASIWYFA's euphoric instrumental output. The Arco String Quartet adds moments of ethereal elegance, juxtaposed against cryptic dialogue by Emma Ruth Rundle and Neil Fallon throughout the album, which is available for pre-order here.

Crashing out of the gate with the big-riff worship and arena-level melodic heroics of their eponymous debut, ASIWYFA have continuously introduced new spins on their original sound while simultaneously expanding their sonic palette with every new album, taking in and repurposing everything from African highlife to Irish trad to the weirdo math-rock of the late ‘90s / early ‘00s.

Jettison was conceived by And So I Watch You From Afar’s guitarist Rory Friers and brought to life by the band, orchestrator Connor O’Boyle, the Arco String Quartet, and visual artist Sam Wiehl. Jettison is a fusion of ASIWYFA’s life-affirming musical acrobatics, the sweeping grandeur of film scores, and the surreal and sublime capabilities of moving pictures.

"Nothing in our repertoire comes close to the ambition of this latest project—the multimedia piece Jettison. The album is a memorable experience that transports the listener away from the tumultuous times and into a blissful musical utopia," ASIWYFA said of their forthcoming new album.

The band will embark on a headlining tour supporting Jettison across Europe and the UK early next year, with Irish dates not appearing on the list as of yet.