As Duncan Fellows is gearing up to release their forthcoming album The Sadlands we’re stoked to be premiering two tracks off that record — “Like I Used To” and “Swallowing Grains”.
The Austin-based collective creates a swirling, expansive atmosphere on “Like I Used To”. Of the track, the band shared with us: “Like I Used To” was inspired by that half-helpless, half-hopeful feeling that arises out of nothing like some sleeping giant, lifting its head to remind you that from pain comes change and from change, something better. Or at least, something better over time. Whether intentional or not, as the song crashes, crescendos, and eventually drifts away dreamily, it’s impossible not to have a visualization of it in your head. It has a cinematic quality to it that begs to be visualized or performed live, but the recording does it great justice nonetheless.
Bursting into a more uptempo jaunt is “Swallowing Grains”. Leaning into an almost surfy chorus, we get some sort of insight on the band’s point of view when dealing with disagreements, not seeing eye to eye, and contemplating their own mortality — those are things they’re uncomfortable dwelling on for too long. That’s not to discredit the song’s sincerity, though. On the contrary, it shows self-awareness not only in wanting to understand more, but acknowledging where they currently are. Stylistically, the track calls back to style of alt rock that was more prevalent in the 2010s, but begs the question, if it sounds this good, why did we move away from that?
You can stream both tracks now on soundcloud and mark your calendar for the full release of The Sadlands on October 16.