Three years after their current album “Fever Dreams”, Villagers is back and announces their fifth record “That Golden Time”. Conor O’Brien’s new work will be released on May 10th – the single of the same name can already be heard now.
Romanticism versus realism
“I wanted the warmth of the album to be reflected in its title. The song also touches on a theme that comes up again and again: romance versus realism. How can you have ambitious ideas about yourself and the world around you while simultaneously facing harsh, cold reality? “That friction interested me,” explains O’Brien about the thoughts behind “That Golden Time” via press release. The track, including the music video, is already out and gives a first taste of the mood of the album that will follow in May.
Music video for “That Golden Time”
“Probably the most hurtful album”
The record will consist of ten songs and comes with a fairytale-like moth cover – a nod to the vulnerability found in the lyrics, the Villagers singer said in the press release. The insect also plays a major role in the single’s video clip.
Conor O’Brien adds about the background of the quite solo work: “For me, “That Golden Time” has an internalized voice, so much so that I found it almost impossible to let anyone else in. It’s probably the most vulnerable album I’ve ever made. I played and recorded everything in my apartment and finally, towards the end, invited people in.”
Among those involved in the album who were invited by O’Brien are Dónal Lunny with the bouzouki, Peter Broderick on the violin and a few other musicians that he discovered during a homage to the Italian composer Ennio Morricone the soprano voice, the viola and the cello contribute.
“That Golden Time” tracklist:
- “Truly Alone”
- “First responders”
- “I Want What I Don’t Need”
- “You Lucky One”
- “That Golden Time”
- “Keepsake”
- “Brother Hen”
- “No Drama”
- “Behind That Curtain”
- “Money On The Mind”