Given the whole point of this blog is to write words about music, sometimes finding the right language proves really hard. There sometimes just don't seem to be enough adjectives in English. Bottlemoth have produced a debut album which has posed me a few problems in that regard.
They're a fresh five-piece band with plenty of experience having been formed in January 2024 by the former members of Bridges
'Even Us Ghosts' was released on 18th October to stream, of course, and also on gorgeous-looking limited edition vinyl (links below). It's a 10-track record which encompasses all Bottlemoth stand for, musically: elements of timeless yet modern indie-folk, crisp pop/alt-rock drum production, warm Americana inflections, sublime vocals... That's quite a few adjectives already.
'Landslides (People Change)' opens the proceedings: a brief burst of ambient sound, and then straight in with soft but firmly-hitting guitars and a crisp beat featuring a doubled-snare. It's a welcoming introduction, an embrace and a gently assertive statement. The feel is of being embraced by a group of new friends who want to share their experiences and at the same time hear yours. The move into double-time in the later chorus is a great touch, pushing the song forward beautifully. And lyrically there's an air of mystery without this going too deep; the words are nicely-balanced between poetic and clear, telling of the very human experiences of hardship and development: how, "in the landslides, people change."
All of this is gorgeously pinnacled by the voices that make up Bottlemoth.
Ethan's vocals are hard to place geographically: there's a sublime plaintive strain, frequent smoothness and also a heartfelt, yearning kind of gravitas. In combination with Chessa's beautiful harmonies, it's a lovely sound.
Their voices combine with a very honest kind of musicality from the rest of the band to produce something which is firmly in the UK/US crossover folk tradition. Bottlemoth are Bristol-based, but you'd not be surprised if you heard they were from mid-West USA. For us UK listeners, though, the local elements bring a welcome familiarity, too.
We hear that in the sound of Ethan's voice ringing out clearly above simple plucked strings of acoustic guitar at the start 'Everything Works Out in the End' - a moving song of hope which is anchored by a distinctive electric guitar riff and the words of the title. The song also features myriad little touches of elegance - harmonies, a rising vocal melody at a couple of points, patterns of call and response ...
There's a lot to unpack there, but before we have time to fully take it in, we're into the 'Bowling, Beers & Most Of Our Friends.' A clumsy title maybe, but this song is a highlight of the album for me. I adore the steady pace, the softly bubbling arpeggios somewhere in the background the beautifully executed drumming from Tom (flams on the snare!), and - again - the vocal approach. Ethan brings in some outstanding characterisation, expressing nuances of emotion through his voice while Chessa adds just the right level of harmony.
'Settle In' is a slower song, and another poignant one. I get the sense that Bottlemoth will be comforted by their own music, as we benefit from listening in on lines like "Settle in, it'll be alright – all things change"... Then, the magnificently titled 'Where Oceans Swallow Your Skies' feels epic and sweeping, as well as uplifting, with a solid rhythmical base providing drive to the slow-paced tempo and carefully picked, harmonic guitar notes ringing out. It's very nicely produced and beautifully mixed – one of those songs to spend time with.
A change of pace with 'Tattoo', where we hear the words of the album title in context ("Even us ghosts, we still feel numb ...."), and the parting line is, again, an uplifting (and well-timed) message: "Don't be too hard on yourself."
To me, this is one of the distinguishing features of the album. At the risk of sounding repetitive, Bottlemoth are sharing something intimate with us and there's great warmth in their messages, even while the themes are frank and certainly not "happy". These are confessions that life is hard, and admissions that there is always hope, particularly when feelings are shared.
'You'll Always Have Us' continues the trend of what's come before, both in terms of tempo and message, before we're relaxed into the softer, nostalgic words of 'Deleted Scenes'. The opening line is exceptionally well observed:
"It feels like somewhere between Christmas and New Year's" evokes so much so quickly. After that, the song continues to unfold through neatly-penned couplets. There's a firm build here, too, taking us from the lonely opening to the rush of the closing verse and parting line.
'Numb' is a more challenging listen, softened by the undeniable purity of the music the words are set to. But the song pulls us through, bringing us high by the end, and setting the scene for the album's closing track. 'Hold Me Like You Know Me' is a swirl of rising anxiety tempered by the healing acknowledgment of a "god send" an "oldest friend". It's a song evoking the ecstasy of pain, and a thought-provoking end to 10 tracks of sublime, intelligent music.
I'm now reminding myself this is a debut album. Bottlemoth have placed themselves somewhere high and strong with 'Even Us Ghosts', a deep and long-lasting record which will serve them well as they continue their journey.
Full tracklist
Side A
You’ll Always Have Us
Everything Works Out In The End
Bowling, Beers and Most of Our Friends
Settle In
Where Oceans Swallow Your Skies
Side B
Tattoo
Deleted Scenes
Landslides (people change)
Numb
Godsend
Bottlemoth are: Ethan Proctor Williams (Vocals / Guitar), Chessa Proctor Williams (Vocals / Keys), Matt Bond (Vocals / Lead Guitar), Henry Matthews (Bass) and Tom Farkas (Drums)
