Knots is Sons of Noel and Adrian‘s new album which promises to be an exciting release as well as a breakaway from the acoustic roots sound you are probably more familiar with from their self-titled debut.
The press release makes it clear that their new album takes its influence not from the traditionalists field but instead draws inspiration from guitarists like Dave Pajo, David Grubbs and Jeff Parker. Anyone familiar with their music will probably not be that surprised to read this. If you listen to David Grubbs ‘Transom’ (below) which can be heard on the Fat Cat records sampler Branches and Routes you’ll understand that sentiment entirely. Grubbs is at home amongst the likes of Palace Music, Will Oldham, and The Dirty Three and many other alternative artists we play favour here on Folk Radio UK.
These influences, rooted in the city of Chicago’s pre-millennial post-rock, jazz and avant-pop scenes, are explored on Knots to their fullest. At times soft and orchestral, at times crass and loud, Knots is always infused with beauty and tenderness: soulful, taunt, honed and with a new found love of kosmiche experimentation. Knots’ expanded sonic tapestry is marshalled and woven with growing stature by SONAA’s chief song-writer, Jacob Richardson, whose meditative lyrical concepts and melodic craftsmanship mark him out as musician of genuine depth and gravitas whilst remaining as arcane and beguiling as Palace.
Rejecting notions of a fixed line-up, Sons of Noel and Adrian is more of a sprawling musical whirlpool centred around a few key members, not unlike Broken Social Scene, with whom two members of Sons toured with last year as their horn section. The band includes members of The Mariner’s Children, Eyes & No Eyes, and make up most of the renowned Willkommen Collective that spawned The Leisure Society, and the various members lend their talents freely to everyone from Damo Suzuki to Laura Marling.
Such selfless creative interdependence is at the heart of the Willkommen Collective and Sons of Noel and Adrian. The results of their musical co-operative have yielded an album that transcends their debut and positions them as a very unique and thrilling proposition indeed: Knots see SONAA charting new, unexplored aural terrain as immersive an experience on stage as it on record.
This is a collaborative release with the good souls at Willkommen Records (who’ll be releasing the digital album) and One Inch Badge (vinyl).
Video Teaser
Sons of Noel and Adrian – Knots
Track Listing
The Yard
Come Run Fun Stella Baby Mother Of The World
Jellyfish Bloom
Big Bad Bold
Leaving Mary’s Hand
Cathy Come Home
Black Side Of The River
Matthew
Heroine
Tour Dates
April 2: CARDIFF – 10 Feet Tall with Winter Villains
April 3: BRISTOL – The Fleece with Laish & Emma Gatrill
April 4: NORWICH – Arts Centre with Laish & Emma Gatrill
April 5: LONDON – Bush Hall
April 7: BRIGHTON – The Haunt
Knots will be released on May 21st and can be pre-ordered here.