Once known as the home of dirty, growled alt-rock, Seattle has a modern reputation of producing pastoral new-folk acts (think Fleet Foxes, The Head and the Heart). Local risers Ravenna Woods, on the other hand, are proving that acoustic instruments in the Emerald City aren’t limited to pretty folk tunes. Their music sits heavy on percussive energy, even as strings and pianos subtly stir up the dust. That dark-horse power carries over to their live show, attracting a faithful local following from fans and industry insiders alike. Now, the band is ready to expand their territory with their sophomore album, The Jackals.
Thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign, the band was able to record The Jackals entirely in-house, with band figurehead/founder Chris Cunningham handling all production duties with his pal Chris Proff. That sort of control has allowed the band to explore even deeper caverns of their dark indie sounds.”Kenya” rides on minimalism gliding on an updraft of horns, while the robust “Border Animals” stomps through a tangle of sounds.”Eidetic” opens the record with an unearthly build of analog, cut off by trudging piano chords and wavering guitars as Cunningham sings, “And now you understand / It’s all a lie.” Cunningham’s lyrics are as heavy as the instrumentation, fearing that everyone from the highest levels of government to your closest friends is out to get you.
Due in stores and digital retailers on November 12th, you can stream The Jackals right now below.
