And Also the Trees Channel Endless Passion in “In a Bed in Yugoslavia”

And the bed became another place
She watched his changing face
And the bed was made of fire
Open higher – Open higher.

Since their inception in 1979, And Also the Trees have remained the most curious of enigmas. They’re a band that refuses to be pigeonholed, re-inventing themselves and channeling a series of untapped influences across the musical and literary spectrum, releasing gem after gem over the years without missing a single beat. Their latter-day works are as strong as ever, and the band’s pastoral sound ages like a fine wine – retaining the same vitality and pushing the boundaries of post-punk’s already frayed edges, invoking a sense of poetic beauty not often heard in these parts. It has been six (long) years since their latest release, but we’re pleased to offer the first taste of the band’s new record, The Bone Carver, set for release on September 9th. With that in mind, please enjoy the video for opening track “In a Bed in Yugoslavia” below:

“In a Bed In Yugoslavia” begins with the most delicate of melodies, a softly plucked guitar rhythm and a waves of ominous clarinet building into a powerful throb as the song exposes its many layers. The track’s tension is palpable – a series of mild crescendos taking hold, driven by Paul Hill’s precise drumming and the band’s perfect interplay. The video reflects the track’s blurred edges with a series of high contrast closeups of And Also the Trees performing – pouring their passion into every aural moment.

Written throughout the pandemic and recorded in various locations throughout London and Switzerland, The Bone Carver continues with nine more tracks of tense, dreamy post-punk bliss. “Beyond Action and Reaction” begins with a deliciously dirty baritone guitar riff that quickly gives way into shimmering waves of autoharp, showcasing multiple layers of Justin Jones’ melodic playing, one of the key components to And Also the Trees’ vividly unique sound. “The Seven Skies” gently tugs at the heartstrings while “The Girl Who Walks the City” paints an evocative picture of wide-eyed wonder through a curiously nostalgic lens. Simon Huw Jones’ half-spoken, half-spun vocals add to the song’s mystique and remain a unifying force behind The Bone Carver‘s success. “The Book Burners” is a short, but curious piece, heavy with newcomer Colin Ozanne’s clarinet – which also showcases prominently throughout “Across the Divide,” the album’s thick, sonorous centerpiece. The track shimmers and swings with a back-and-forth guitar melody and Simon’s occasionally processed vocals, imposing a sense of deep melancholy. “Another Town, Another Face” continues in a similar vein as “The Girl Who Walks the City,” and serves as another powerful piece ripe with imagery and fraught with tension.

“Last of the Larkspurs” is another standout, featuring powerful interplay between Hill and bassist Grant Gordon. This track in particular seems perfectly suited for a trip through a sparse English countryside in the early summer afternoons, while the title track follows with a more menacing, yet still ethereal energy. Its these secret pockets of tension – moments that blend beauty and anxiety, showcasing the darker undercurrents of a beautiful pocket of nature, that forever add to And Also the Trees’ timeless allure. It’s seldom the case that a band with such a storied career and an expansive discography can continue to awe and inspire, but as the final notes of “Sun of Kashiva” ring out into the ether, it’s abundantly clear that And Also the Trees remain at the top of their game.

As previously mentioned, The Bone Carver will be released this coming Friday, September 9th on CD, vinyl, and digital format. The band will also be celebrating the album’s release with a European tour, which kicks off September 15th in Brussels. Check below for the full list of tour dates as well as the album track listing and artwork.

Tour Dates: