The Saxophones, the Oakland-based husband-and-wife duo of Alexi Erenkov and Alison Alderdice, have announced their fourth studio album, No Time For Poetry, set for release on November 7th via Full Time Hobby. Accompanying the announcement is the first single, “Too Big For California,” a song that sets the tone for a record steeped in a new, darker tension.
While 2023’s To Be A Cloud was characterised by a certain breeziness, No Time For Poetry takes a turn toward a more introspective and politically charged sound. Erenkov cites mid-period Leonard Cohen as a key inspiration, stating that the “dystopian songs he was writing with a satirical attitude helped set the darker political tone of this record.” This influence is palpable in “Too Big For California,” where Erenkov’s rich baritone navigates a landscape of societal unease. The track, with its evocative imagery of “trampling the lupine” and “the shanty towns are burning,” paints a picture of modern California grappling with deep-seated issues like homelessness and wildfires. The band captures a sense of detached resignation, with Erenkov singing, “Still I’m… doing fine,” an understatement that speaks volumes about the culture of impotence he seeks to expose.
Alexi expands on the meaning: “Despite California being very liberal, it still has a lot of issues that are not being resolved – the homeless epidemic and frequency and scope of wildfires being top of mind for most people I know. There’s a disturbing way in which one can still go on living a normal life in the midst of all this suffering and risk. I was trying to put the feeling of drinking wine with friends while the hills burn into song. There’s a culture of impotence, a lack of will I was trying to capture.”
Produced with support from Frank Maston and mixed by Noah Georgeson (Andy Shauf, Cate Le Bon), the album promises a sonic palette that expands on their signature sound. The band is also joined by regular collaborator Richard Laws on bass and synthesizers. No Time For Poetry promises to be a timely and poignant record, offering a complex blend of wry observation and gauzy, musical optimism.
‘No Time For Poetry’ Tracklisting
- Too Big For California
- Winter Moon
- Mind Wander
- Burning With Desire
- Cypress Hill
- I Fought The War
- Peace With Power
- America’s The Victim
- Wayward Men (feat. Indigo Street)
- No Time For Poetry
The album will be available on vinyl and CD formats as well as digitally. Pre-order here.