The band’s blistering new EP sees The Contortionist step outside the atmospheric storytelling of their critically lauded conceptual masterpiece Clairvoyant (2017) to indulge an aggressive shadow side. More an anthology of standalone bursts of intensity, rounded out by a stunningly captivating cover of The Smashing Pumpkins “1979,” OUR BONES isn’t a mere stopover between albums. It’s both a definitive look back and an ambitious leap forward.
“We try to do something different with everything we create,” explains vocalist Michael Lessard. “With our albums we tend to work with overarching interconnected themes. Our Bones is a departure. It offered an opportunity to dive into some things we haven’t had a chance to explore and the shorter EP format allowed us to be hyper-focused on each song.”
Crafted in the compound owned by producer/engineer John Douglass (Coheed & Cambria, Bad Wolves, Carnifex), where the guys were able to both live and work, Our Bones began with some ideas Robby Baca would regularly run through at the band’s sound checks.
“Once I was finally able to get Robbie to record that riff we started piecing together the song in the back of the van, while on tour in Europe,” Lessard recalls. The end result was lead single “Early Grave,” an expression of gratitude to the fans who’ve shared their stories of heartbreak, loneliness, depression, and found new strength in the music of The Contortionist.
“All Grey” combines some long gestating musical compositions with new flourishes, resulting in a cathartic release of sonic energy. “Follow” explores the self-defeating traps brought on by a lack of perspective, ultimately encouraging an iconoclastic approach to life in line with the band’s relentless musical individualism. The Smashing Pumpkins are a favorite of Guenther in particular and their take on “1979” fit seamlessly with their overall aesthetic.
Our Bones was mixed/mastered by longtime collaborator Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me, Through The Eyes Of The Dead), who worked on Language and Clairvoyant.
Track Listing:
01. Follow
02. Early Grave
03. All Grey
04. 1979 (Smashing Pumpkins Cover)
