David Boothby - We Pretend We Are Birds

 Released: July 17

Marking his first solo EP, Welsh composer David Boothby dedicates his initial offering to his three daughters - Cadence, Bell, and Eva. The result is three quite heartfelt compositions that are intended to be heard as one continuous experience, with the final track being a continuous mix of the EP. The album has an excellent flow to it altogether, blending seamlessly and effortlessly in to the next track as if they were the same song. The mood never breaks, only fades and intensifies, bringing emotional moments to crescendo and fall away. The album has this sense of perpetual motion as well, as if it never really stops, just temporarily shows arm until picking back up effortlessly.

The beginning is softly dramatic, building up slowly on top of a pillow of pads and soft textures. The guitar enters slowly, plinking away softly. The track meanders into the following “Bell’s Theme” in which we get a full drum arrangement which takes us out of ambient territory and fully into post-rock. The whispery vocal also play very nicely in the mix, giving a sense of mystery to the accompanying melodies. “Baby Ava” finishes up things nicely with a return to the themes of the first track with the wonderful and strong drums, with an ending that is brings in the small twinkling sounds reminiscent of the various toys for infants. It is a rather fitting end for an album about being a father and the joys and trials one may face on that path.