''Lowtide'' is the debut album by Australian

indie rock Indie rock is a Music subgenre, subgenre of rock music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand from the 1970s to the 1980s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the mu ...

band

Lowtide Lowtide is an Australian indie rock band formed in 2008 in Melbourne. It currently consists of Lucy Buckeridge (bass, vocals), Gabriel Lewis (guitars) and Anton Jakovljevic (drums). They are known for their expansive, reverb-heavy sound and aes ...

, released on 17 July 2014 by Lost and Lonesome Recording Co. and Opposite Number. It is their first full-fledged album release, after their debut EP, ''You Are My Good Light,'' in 2010 and their debut

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

, "Underneath Tonight/Memory No. 7" in 2011. The album was promoted with three

singles Singles are people not in a committed relationship. Singles may also refer to: Film and television * ''Singles'' (miniseries), a 1984 Australian television series * ''Singles'' (1992 film), written and directed by Cameron Crowe * ''Singles'' ...

: "Blue Movie", "Held" and "Wedding Ring". The band also embarked on the "Album Launch Tour" to also promote the album, running from 25 July to 7 September 2014. Upon release, ''Lowtide'' received positive reviews from critics.

Background

After releasing their debut EP, ''You Are My Good Light'', in July 2010 as well as their debut standalone

"Underneath Tonight/Memory No. 7" in April 2011 through

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exclusively, the band published a cryptic

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post stating "18. 07. 14." as well as an album cover, announcing the album and its release date. According to an interview by ''Sounds Better With Reverb'', bassist and lead vocalist Giles Simon said:

We recorded the album over two years or more. We had demos and ideas for some of the songs that probably date from around the time of the first EP.

In May, the band completed a

test pressing A white label record is a vinyl record with white labels attached. There are several variations each with a different purpose. Variations include test pressings, white label promos, and plain white labels. Test pressings Test pressings, usua ...

of the album. In May 2016, the band announced that English independent record label Opposite Number would be releasing ''Lowtide'' internationally on 5 August for the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.

Promotion

Singles and music videos

In May 2014, "

Blue Movie ''Blue Movie'' (also known as ''Fuck'') is a 1969 American erotic film written, produced and directed by Andy Warhol. It is the first adult erotic film depicting explicit sex to receive wide theatrical release in the United States, and is re ...

" was released as the lead single for the album, with its music video released the same month. In June 2014, "Held" was released as the second single from the album, with the music video also premiering the same month. In October 2014, "Wedding Ring" was released as the third single to the album, with the music video for it released in June 2016.

Tour

A tour called the "Lowtide Album Launch Tour" was planned for the album's release and promotion, running from 25 July to 7 September 2014.

Artwork

The

album cover An album cover (also referred to as album art) is the front packaging art of a commercially released studio album or other audio recordings. The term can refer to either the printed paperboard covers typically used to package sets of and 78-r ...

for the album depicts an explosion of a blue-blackish, rocky surface, with light pink dust and bits trailing off into the air. Some parts of the surface are visible on a sliver of the top half, with the word "Lowtide" in lowercase and bold red.

Release

The album was originally released in Australia and New Zealand on 17 July 2014 by Lost and Lonesome Recording Co. with a limited production run on

vinyl records A phonograph record (also known as a gramophone record, especially in British English), or simply a record, is an analog signal, analog sound Recording medium, storage medium in the form of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove ...

. Opposite Number then released the album in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Asia on 5 August 2016, with CD and vinyl pre-orders in those countries handled by Rough Trade.

Critical reception

''Lowtide'' received positive reviews from critics. Doug Wallen from ''Rolling Stone'' gave the album a 4-star rating, praising the songs "Wedding Ring" and "Held", concluding that "The album houses a perfect mix of the driving and drifting, with songs changing shape right before our ears." ''Sounds Better With Reverb'' gave the album a positive review, stating that "‘Lowtide’ is an ambitious album and it sounds flawless".

Track listing

Release history

References

{{Authority control 2014 debut albums Lowtide albums