After the opening single ‘Violet Light’ was deemed by Rolling Stone as “built to preach the gospel of rock n’ roll,” it’s clear that The Artisanals are in good stead ahead of the release of their second studio album. Nine tracks of carefully crafted stadium-sized acoustic rock, the SouthCarolinafourpiece are ready to unveil ‘Zia’ on the 3rdSeptember.
Featuring ‘Violet Light,’ ‘Plant The Seed’ and ‘Way Up,’ three equally euphoric singles that have paved the way perfectly for the remainder of the album. Each demonstrates the musicianship and song-writing from a group that have won over the ears and hearts of fans all over the US and beyond. Since forming in 2016, they’ve released a critically acclaimed debut album, Eps, multiple singles and shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the business. Now is time for a new era.
On their new album, they added, “Zia emerges, but has shifted its geographical location to the scarred, yet hopeful landscapes of the United States Southwest. Here in the desert, we are introduced to a more mature and exposed band, with a stripped-down production where the acoustic guitar blossoms into the forefront of the songs, and Clay Houle’s electric add canyon-like ambience.Like a simulation, we are transported to a small southwest city, questioning the human spirit and fate: are we in control of our desires or not? “FearTo Fail” opens the record and reveals this ethos, particularly how much fear plays a role in roadblocking what we are born to do. While other existential songs ask heavier questions, like the true story of “She’s Looking for the Answer”-a song written for awoman who died of overdose, whom lead singer Johnny Delaware was asked to bring home instead of the hospital while working at a pizza shop.
