Track Of The Day: Pine The Pilcrow – 'Black Hills'

Ambient folk collective Pine the Pilcrow – comprising Kevin Murray, Rob Campbell, Shay Sweeney & Hannah Ryan – have shared their latest track, 'Black Hills'.

Hallmarked by sweeping strings, big choral sounds and percussive rhythms, the track is a departure from the band's minimal beginnings. A host of new instruments and techniques are employed by the multi-talented group in 'Black Hills', steered by producer Alex Borwick. A sparkling piano solo rounds the music out stunningly.

"Most people have a place, or places they go for head space. Ardgillan Castle is one of mine," explains cellist Rob Campbell, about his first contribution to the group as singer and songwriter. "I’d often walk its boundaries, off the beaten track… this area is called Black Hills.

"The song is about going there as my therapy when life feels shitty. I just pass through and watch nature carry on regardless of the world around… life in full voice. It breaks the walls down, resets perspective, reminds me that I’m just a tiny part of something incredible and unfathomable. There’s comfort for me in that."

The track is the second of three songs recorded in late 2019 Borwick, who has worked with the likes of Parliament Funkadelic, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Niamh Regan, and Lankum as a producer.

Listen to the song below.