Hailing from Athens in Georgia, Houston in the Blind is a musical endeavour led by Charlie Garrett, who initially operated as a solo artist before expanding the project to realise his evolving sonic vision. The journey began in 2015 with the debut album Limbs, a nine-track record that hinted at the project’s potential.
Following an extended hiatus for a period of reflection, Houston in the Blind returned to the music scene this year, marking their revival with the release of the well-received indie rock single “On A Wire” in March. Now, they continue to build on this momentum with their latest offering, the brand new single titled “Drifting.”
“Drifting” serves as a meditation on life, influenced by Charlie’s personal experiences and his complex relationship with change. The song emerged towards the end of the Hide The Glow sessions, with Charlie feeling the need for something lighter and more reflective of his current state amidst the heaviness of the songs recorded thus far.
While the track is not about making peace with change, it explores the inevitability of it, allowing listeners to journey through themes of acceptance and adaptation. Casting a hazy soundscape of dream pop cut with the grittiness of shoegaze, “Drifting” delivers an enveloping listening experience full of soft instrumental textures, laid back drums and soft vocal performance.
Started off with intriguing instrumental tones over pattering percussive shots, the arrangement slips into a light energy of smokey guitar timbres and gentle drums before dipping down to the stretching fuzz of a synth line as Charlie’s airy vocals glide above. Rising with the delicate punch of drums and piquant lead guitar notes, the aptly titled track floats through a hypnotic scene capped by elegant melodic leads hovering over a blissful musical fabric.
Building to a rousing crescendo of pounding drums and layers of instrumentation, the track swells to an emphatic finale that’s at once soothing and invigorating. It’s a truly immersive sound that sees Houston in the Blind continue their return with a dazzling new song while showcasing the range of their musical output.
Listen to Drifting below
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