Photo: Travis Waddell
Arizona brothers Alex and Andrew Jarson, known by their luminous moniker Body Of Light, have unveiled the title track of their highly anticipated fourth opus, aptly named “Bitter Reflection.” Embracing introspective depths, this emotive synth-pop duo truly tugs at the ticker with this latest single, imbued with the creative essence of Thomas Dolby, Boards of Canada, and Martin Gore’s tender balladry.
With an insatiable ardor for navigating the intricate corridors of memory and fantasy, Body Of Light delves fearlessly into the recesses of their personal mythology. Their relentless odyssey of self-discovery unearths hidden gems, unveiling cherished relics from childhood tapes to long-forgotten demos, infusing their artistic essence with a radiant inquiry: “How can we make this grow?“
Collaborating with the visionary filmmaker Collin Fletcher on the video for “Bitter Reflection”, the Jarson brothers are graced by the enigmatic presence of esteemed actor James Duval, known for his unforgettable roles in cult classics like “Doom Generation” and “Donnie Darko.” The video begins with the story of a young man stumbling home in the early (or very late) hours – delirious, exhausted. The Jarson brothers sweetly croon this emotional track as the camera pans over Duval’s face, representing the young man, now older, reflecting on the young man he used to be, a person swept away by the tears shed into the ocean of time. Nothing else needs to be said; his face transmutes these emotions straight from the heart, even when reflected in a shattered mirror. This is a poignant work of art.
“Bitter Reflection was the first song we recorded for the record, and we just knew we had to make a music video that showed how special it was to us,” says the band. “We had all these thoughts about nostalgia and reconnecting with our past selves, and Collin Fletcher was amazing at turning those ideas into a storyline that really worked. We couldn’t believe it when James Duval, one of our cinematic heroes, agreed to be in the video. James really got the vibe of the track and totally blew us away with his acting skills and the emotion he brought to set.”
Watch the video for “Bitter Reflection” below:
Bitter Reflection‘s eleven meticulously crafted tracks pulsate with fragments of sampled voices, ethereal noises, celestial synths, and field recordings. These sonic fragments flutter in the periphery, akin to whispers of half-remembered nostalgia or dislocated memories floating through the ether. Body Of Light masterfully weaves these sonic threads with their special creative synergy, their music suspended between the dual fires of truth and desire, where the boundaries blur between romanticization and reality, catharsis and control.
With meticulous precision, every note and carefully constructed layer unfolds, weaving together a sonic fabric that is nothing short of mesmerizing. Each composition breathes life into a rich tapestry of sound, inviting the intrepid listener to embark upon a journey that navigates the enigmatic depths of the human experience. Through the captivating harmonies and evocative textures that adorn this album, Body Of Light beckons us to delve into the profound complexities of our shared humanity.
Collaborating with the esteemed Josh Eustis, co-founder of Telefon Tel Aviv, Body Of Light ventured beyond their usual boundaries by incorporating an expansive ensemble of live instrumentation. The addition of piano, bass, saxophone, and acoustic guitar intertwines with their signature vintage Akai samplers, Moogs, and archaic hardware, forging a remarkable and eclectic sonic palette. The inclusion of live instrumentation infuses the album with a sense of raw immediacy and organic texture, breathing life into each composition. In an era that yearns for fresh sonic currents, Body Of Light emerges as a vanguard, spearheading a resurgent generation that seamlessly melds contemporary techniques with the echoes of bygone eras. Positioned at the forefront of this musical wave, they navigate the fluid boundaries between the present and the past, deftly weaving together threads of inspiration from diverse temporal realms.
Singer Alex Jarson gazes into the abyss of anguished transitions, and discovers a profound muse that exists at the very axis of temporal collapse. Within this nexus of uncertainty, where the fabric of time frays and fractures, Body Of Light finds fertile ground for their artistic exploration. It is in this fertile space that they unearth shards of hope, glimmering faintly amidst the chaos and turmoil.
As the new age unfolds, Body Of Light’s music resonates with a generation in search of meaning and connection, capturing the essence of our collective human experience in a way that is both timeless and timely. “Time is dysphoric. The dream breaks down. Everyone’s beginning to panic, but in the end something will come from it,” Jarson concludes.
Bitter Reflection is out on June 30, 2023, via Dais Records. Pre-orders are available here, and the band will be playing select shows leading up to release date.
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