New York-based indie rock band Scotch Mist — Venezuelan-born lead singer Ed Zighelboim, Brazilian-born bassist and producer Gianluca Girard, and lead guitarist Fern Souza — push the boundaries of their creativity with each project they put out. Their newest offering, Cabo Blanco due for release on August 1st, is an 11-track album that shines a spotlight on the group’s songwriting while being laced with irresistible grooves and ear-worm choruses. Currently out, the third single from the record, “Sink Into (Your Love),” a groove-heavy song that marked the trio’s arrival into a more disco-oriented sound.
Originally written during a session for their previous record, crybaby, the track was set aside and ended up seamlessly pushing them toward this new album. A transition they were originally unsure about, but Shaan Ramaprasad’s string arrangement really solidified the song into one of the most beautiful tracks they’ve made. A song about welcoming the risk of being hurt in a relationship when the prospect of love is too enticing, the honest lyricism combined with the moving strings arrangement, “Sink Into (Your Love)” sits near the top of the trio’s most entrancing songs. “The secret is to have the best musicians you know play on your songs,” they joke earnestly. “For a while, it was hard to see the vision to have it on the album, but it all came together when we recorded the strings, and now it’s one of our favorite songs we’ve ever written.”
With three albums out to date, self-titled Scotch Mist (2016), Gold & Silver (2019), and Crybaby (2021), and their fourth full-length album coming this year, the band showcases their different eras on each album with influences ranging from late disco to 20th-century rock, including 70’s disco icons like the Bee Gees and Cerrone, 80’s trailblazers Tears for Fears and The Police, and masterful musicians Steely Dan, Marcos Valle, Nick Drake, and Paul McCartney/Wings. With each new musical endeavor, the band continues to grow and evolve; their upcoming release promises to be their most ambitious project yet, pushing the boundaries of their creativity while exploring new genres and sounds, Cabo Blanco being no exception.
With two singles under their belt, “Shadowbanned” (March 15) and “Around” (April 11), Scotch Mist has laid the groundwork of solid beats and lyrics you can’t help but sing along to. “Shadowbanned,” the lead single from the record, is a lyrically very tongue-in-cheek, light, and fun track that felt like a new turn from the band’s typical more sad, and intense writing style. “This one had us exploring different sonic styles too, very punchy and upbeat,” they admit. “Fern’s versatile guitar parts feel like 3 distinct tonal flavors, but all coming from the same instrument. We love the 303 bassline outro that Gianluca programmed.” The sophomore single from the album, “Around,” came to be rather quickly with a welcoming arrangement so it was easy for the band to fall into it when writing their parts. “We must have started and finished it in 5 days total,” shares Fern. “Lyrically inspired by Sting’s really descriptive and colorful writing. We love Ed’s falsetto and how it contrasts with the driving instrumental. One of our favorite recording moments from the album.”
Cabo Blanco serves as a triumph of sorts, a metamorphosis. The band wanted to come back from the pain, grief, and anguish Crybaby was written about and deliver something more upbeat that reflects where they are now after time spent healing and literally letting go. The album drew its name from the beach with the same name in Costa Rica. “None of us have ever been there before, but we daydream about having a little sanctuary like that in our lives,” Ed admits. “The reason we named the album after it is because one of the biggest themes on the record is escapism. It’s like we created music to escape the reality of the harshness of life, which is why the music on this album is lush and dreamlike. The songs are all about escapism and learning to find peace in despair.”
Always honest and genuine, the band puts their all into their work, continuously challenging themselves and pushing for greatness. Cabo Blanco marks their next era and will be out in the world on August 1st
For further information on the band, visit the following links:
Photo credit: Carina Allen (@Rlyblonde) Provided by Milestone
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