Stornoway is a group out of Oxford, England that first made waves with their 2010 debut Beachcombers Windowsill, a folksy, idiosyncratic equivalent to the more electric Arctic Monkeys. Their new album Tales From Terra Firma, slated for a March 19th release in the United States is not so much a stylistic change as it is a sonic evolution with absolutely stunning and daring arrangement choices that spring them out of the British folksy Mumford and Sons pack. That the album was recorded in a modest campervan makes the results all the more impressive. “You Take Me As I Am”, the first track on the new album is a propulsive anthem that transforms a narrative about a nascent marriage into an epic synonymous with the power of love. Fueled by an energetic acoustic guitar backbeat, the arrangement whirls with organs and brass and a dynamic drum line. One of the better tracks to come out this year. Also as a bonus, I’m including “When You Touch Down From Outer Space” a track they recorded during Pitchfork’s Music Festival in Paris as a Takeaway Show with La Blogotheque.
When You Touch Down From Outer Space (Takeaway Show)
Pre-order the album on iTunes
The Art of the Mixtape 