Emerging from the fertile grounds of the Norwegian alternative scene, Julius Lind and his trio have been chiseling out an identity, blurring the boundaries of genre, weaving together strands of psych, space rock, indie, and drone. Featuring members from Action & Tension & Space, The Megaphonic Thrift, and Gold Celeste, this collaboration feels like a meeting of minds who are determined to explore the fringes of this sound without ever losing roots in their rich musical traditions. Today we get to share a slice of the upcoming album, Lights.
Lind and his cohorts are experts at dipping into the golden eras of pop and rock while pushing the envelope with modern sensibilities. It’s an approach that feels refreshingly nostalgic, yet forward-thinking. Their music nods to the sprawling jams of the ‘70s, soundscapes of ’90s shoegaze, and the meditative qualities of krautrock, all while maintaining a dynamic edge that makes each track a voyage into the unknown. All of these sensibilities can be heard on the track that we’re premiering today, “Empty Bottles”. Of the song, the band had the following to say:
‘The song is about having freedom but feeling the pressure of expectations from society around us. Following your dreams is considered with admiration but comparing ourselves with others you can at times get a feeling of outsiderness, especially when you choose not to follow the normal frameworks of life in our part of the world.’
Without further ado, here is the video for “Empty Bottles”:
Of the video, Julius Lind and company believe that the imagery that they conjured further sells the mood of the song:
‘The video visualizes the music and emphasizes the band’s trademark where melodious, soft vocals meet resistance in the form of dirty guitars and distorted bass lines. The ocean and surfers in the background create the feeling of careless freedom, meanwhile occasionally blurry images give a feeling that everything can disappear and brings the sensation of vulnerability.’
What’s most impressive about this trio is how effortlessly they play with the vibe. This track finds a pocket and manages to play around in that space and builds atmosphere along the way. For those ready to embark on this interstellar journey, now’s the time to hop aboard. Lights was recorded in Studio Paradiso with Christian Engfelt (Cato Salsa Experience) as technician and co-producer in 2023. It’s being released worldwide by the German label Kapitän Platte on October 25th and distributed internationally by Cargo Records. You can head here to pre-order Light, and follow Julius Lind on Facebook and on Instagram!
