Portland, OR – Indie rock outfit Strange Pilgrim have released “Through the Branches,” the contemplative new single from their forthcoming sophomore album, Too Bright Planet, due September 26th, 2025, on Royal Oakie Records. Led by songwriter Josh Barnhart, the band returns with a new lineup featuring Pat Spurgeon (Rogue Wave, The Dandy Warhols) and Elliott Kay, expanding on the kaleidoscopic dream-pop of their 2022 self-titled debut.
“Through the Branches” is a shimmering piece of jangle-pop that reflects on the surreal stillness of the early Covid era. “The song captures a restless mind turning over thoughts in solitude,” Barnhart explains. “Amid the anxiety and yearning, there’s also a sense of beauty: a glimmer in a quiet moment, a flicker of light through the trees.” The track’s bright, layered guitars and steady rhythm create a sense of forward momentum, mirroring the lyrical shift from isolation to the subtle beauty of changing seasons.
Stream Links: https://idm.fm/throughthebranches
Too Bright Planet sees the band exploring themes of acceptance and rebirth, drawing inspiration from a wide array of sources, including The Grateful Dead, Brian Eno, and the films of Wim Wenders. The album was recorded live at Bocce Recording in Vancouver, WA, and promises a moody, expansive sound reminiscent of early 70s Fleetwood Mac and Luna’s Penthouse. This new collection of songs finds Strange Pilgrim evolving, trading the dislocation of their debut for a grounded sense of forward movement and quiet exploration.
Order Too Bright Planet via Bandcamp: https://strangepilgrim.bandcamp.com/album/too-bright-planet
