Whispers of revolution seldom reach the pitch of screams, but Obroa–Skai has harnessed such a fervor, ready to ripple through the alternative music scene with their latest offering.
“Science Progresses One Funeral at a Time” emerges not from the tranquil waters of creativity but from the stormy seas of sociopolitical tumult, challenging the listener to navigate its depths. Set for release on November 17th by Zegema Beach Records, this full-length debut builds upon the bedrock laid by their 2019 S/T EP and a series of splits that have already carved their niche in the realm of screamo.
Obroa-Skai, comprised of Amy and Cory Lewis, Chris Djuric, and Durell Smith, have encapsulated more than just sound waves in their upcoming album—they’ve captured a series of funeral dirges for pernicious ideologies that continue to haunt our society.
The Lewis duo, the primary lyricists, has designed each track as a requiem, an auditory memorial service for ideas that must die so progress can be born.
The single “It Must Have Been Beautiful” is a lamentation, a poignant reflection on the slow, suffocating death of the boreal forest—a victim of climate change’s unrelenting grip. Amy Lewis recounts the inception of this track amidst the rusted pine trees of Jasper National Park, a landscape gasping for life, an image that spurred a visceral response in the form of music.
Their second single, “1928–1972,” takes a scalpel to history, dissecting the unsettling reverence for Emily Murphy in Edmonton’s parklands. Murphy, while celebrated for her role in women’s suffrage, played a sinister part in the eugenics movement in Canada.
Amy’s words are not just lyrics; they’re a rallying cry to challenge the insidious legacies that blemish our understanding of historical figures.
Beyond the two premiering tracks, the album is an odyssey through the grim realities of our times. From “home,” a song that confronts the rise of potent transphobia to “blink,” a closing track inspired by the dehumanization evident in the film “Come and See” about Nazi-occupied Belarus, Obroa-Skai uses their music as a vessel to chart the waters of difficult conversations and the necessity of change.
Recorded and mixed by Lealand Grauwiler, mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege, with artwork by Sheri Furneaux, the album promises not just an auditory experience but a sensory immersion into the ethos Obroa-Skai stands for. It will be available both digitally and on vinyl, ensuring its reach will be as widespread as its message is urgent.
As the album’s concept suggests, inspired by the musings of Max Planck, progress is not a passive transition but often a series of hard-fought battles against the stubborn vestiges of the past.
“Science Progresses One Funeral at a Time” is Obroa-Skai’s battle cry, a soundtrack for societal change, and a note of solidarity to those who stand against the tide of regressive ideologies. It’s a testament to the transformative power of music and a narrative of resistance, carved out in the time signatures of hope and the melodies of resilience.
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