Toronto’s Respire, whose new album, Hiraeth arrives on July 26 via Dine Alone Records, have released a third preview of the 10-song release with today’s debut of “The Sun Sets Without Us” and an accompany video that finds the band members as news anchors, reporting on the state of the world.
“’The Sun Sets Without Us’ covers plenty of stylistic ground – featuring arpeggiated melodies countered by driving horns, an ode to sassy art punk, a captivating, accelerating buildup with haunting gang vocals punctuated by raw screams, and a crushing climax,” Respire share. “The song is about our precarious position as immigrants, and a warning that those who come after us now will come after you next.”
On the accompanying video, the band says: “Things are not well in this world, and fake smiles can only hide so much. The news is bad – strikes, riots, wars, famine, inflation, corruption – and continues unabated. In the video you see the constant cycle of crisis we’ve become accustomed to… the smiles fade away, and the news anchors lose their composure, growing increasingly desperate.”
Respire has simultaneously announced their first North American tour in support of the 10-song album, with the September dates on-sale now.
The immigrant experience is the driving theme behind Hiraeth, with “Keening” also tackling the subject by focusing on ex-pats finding a sense of community through music.
Upon the album announcement, Respire released the “Distant Light of Belonging” and an accompanying video featuring candid footage of the band that spans their time together. Brooklyn Vegan said the track “swirls together harsh screamo, melodic emo, metallic fury, uplifting horns, and more, and it’s a very triumphant first taste.”
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.
Respire tour dates:
August 1 Toronto, ON The Royal Theatre
September 12 New Brunswick, NJ TBA
September 13 New York, NY Gold Sounds
September 14 Richmond, VA Dark Days, Bright Nights Festival
September 16 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Roboto Project
September 17 Cleveland, OH The Winchester Music Tavern
September 18 Columbus, OH Dirty Dungarees
September 19 Indianapolis, IN Healer
September 20 Chicago, IL Reggie’s Music Joint
September 21 Detroit, MI TBA
September 22 Toronto, ON St. Stephen-In-The-Fields Church
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), Dénouement (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 O’Reilly (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.
