After two years and over a dozen tours, Freelance Whales were feeling road-worn and eager to rediscover their creative process. They had been building on the grassroots appeal of their earthy debut, Weathervanes, for tens of thousands of miles. To tare the scale, the band embarked on a many faceted journey during which they found themselves isolated in West Kill, sprawled with their instruments in Hoboken, and packed into studios in Brooklyn and Manhattan. What resulted from nearly a year’s worth of creative productivity is the group’s second full-length, Diluvia.
Whereas Weathervanes was delivered from the perspective of a child infatuated with ayoung female ghost, Diluvia is a record about the possible survival – or peril – of space- faring humans and other arguably fantastical scenarios. Curiosity over these unknowns has evolved into notions of space exploration, ancient astronauts, dreams, and natural and artificial selection, with new songs building to expansive, atmospheric destinations. Working to evoke both prehistoric and pseudo-futuristic sensations, the record invites listeners to indulge in more elastic thought, perhaps, than it’s predecessor.
Diluvia, which was recorded over two months in New York City with producer Shane Stoneback, also finds Freelance Whales – Judah Dadone (vocals, guitar, banjo, synthesizers), Doris Cellar (bass, vocals), Chuck Criss (guitar, synthesizers, vocals), Jacob Hyman (drums, vocals), and Kevin Read (guitar, vocals) – exploring new instrumental experiences by blurring their trademark “organic” instruments with liberaluse of electronics and more aggressive rhythm. They may sound bigger, but Freelance Whales are no less committed to capturing intimacy though their music. Diluvia is an experiment in finding the confluence between science and emotion. Their hypothesis is that such a cathartic place exists, for both themselves and their fans, and it can be found somewhere in their new music.
Recent Press Quotes
NPR: “Diluvia is the opposite of effortless: Its songs sound worked-over and impeccable, yet ultimately land in a place of unfettered joy.”
Consequence of Sound: “In the vein of lead single “Locked Out”, the second single, “Spitting Image”, is another demonstration of the band’s newly expanded sound, a grand, electronica-leaning cut of pure ecstasy.”
A.V Club: “With this grower, Freelance Whales have avoided the sophomore slump and grown into one of indie rock’s most intriguing new acts”.
Pretty Much Amazing: “Diluvia might feature euphoric horns and choral chanting, but the impeccable songwriting and complete lack of posturing counter most accusations of sentimentality. The record soars from grandeur to modesty, from symphony to minimalism, rarely committing to either extreme for long.”
Filter Magazine : “While the band’s trademark sound only previously flirted with electronics, the LP’s lead single, “Locked Out”, turns that relationship in full-fledged marriage”.
Pretty Much Amazing : “First single “Locked Out,” Freelance Whales show that they’ve perked their ears up to their surroundings and are heading in an interesting direction.”
Stereogum : “Locked Out” is exactly the sort of layered, romantic stuff that the band built its name on”