Respire, who recently announced the July 26 release of their fourth album, Hiraeth (Dine Alone Records) have shared a second track from the 10-song collection with todayโs arrival of โKeeningโ and a companion visualizer.
The Toronto-based band previously explained that Hiraeth is a reflection on the immigrant experience, and now share how โKeeningโ is reflective of that overarching theme: โโKeeningโ is a farewell to the past selves we left behind when we moved across the world in search of hope and a new life, an intense nostalgia and longing for memories that are now out of reach. Itโs about the attempt to find connection through expression of music and music, even when there doesnโt seem to be anyone listening. โKeeningโ is one of our densest orchestral arrangements, an ode to solemn chamber music presented in an aggressive, heavy package.โ
The band previously released the song โDistant Light of Belongingโ and an accompanying video featuring candid footage of the band that spans their time together. Brooklyn Vegan said the track โswirls together harsh screamo, melodic emo, metallic fury, uplifting horns, and more, and itโs a very triumphant first taste.โ
Crafted over four years through a continuous exchange of demos and sheet music, Respire spent six months producing Hiraeth, with the invaluable contributions of recording engineer Sean Pearson and mixing and mastering engineer Jack Shirley, and numerous collaborators.
Catch the band live on August 1 in Toronto at The Royal Theatre andย September 14 in Richmond, at The Broadberry, with Dark Days and Bright Nights.
Respire has been a pioneering force in the Canadian underground scene for ten years, building a cult-like following over their three critically acclaimed LPs: Black Line (2020), Dรฉnouement (2018), and Gravity and Grace (2016). The seven-piece band is Egin Kongoli (vocals/guitar/synthesizer), Rohan Lilauwala (vocals/guitar), Darren Scarfo (vocals/guitar), Travis Dupuis (vocals/drums), Ben Oliver (bass guitar), Eslin McKay (vocals/violin/viola), and Emmett OโReilly (vocals/trumpet). Respire pushes the boundaries of heavy music, intertwining intricate, uplifting orchestral arrangements with the intensity and urgency of emotional hardcore and the desperation of black metal.
