NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARIES ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM ‘DEPARTURES’
August 9, 2024 BY Bailey Vigliaturo
Vancouver-based neo-classical Taylor Swindells, the composer, producer, and film scorer behind the pseudonym Neighborhood Libraries, announces his new album, Departures, out October 4, with single “Keflavik.” This album, born from a transformative summer in the Netherlands, is set to captivate listeners with its lush, evocative soundscapes and deep emotional resonance.
“Last summer, my partner and I packed up our kids and traveled halfway around the world to live in the Netherlands for a month on a home exchange,” Swindells reflects.
“While we were away, I wrote and took field recordings wherever we went. Our time there was surreal, dreamlike, exhausting, and inspiring. This record mirrors that. It sounds like a vacation haunted by climate change, lingering work, and existential questions about how to be a parent and a human being. After we got home, I drew up plans for a bike shed and recorded/produced the album at my studio in Vancouver.”
Departures opens with “Amsterdam,” setting a nostalgic and haunting tone that carries through the entire album. Each track offers a unique exploration of Swindells’ experiences and reflections during his time abroad. The single “Keflavik” stands out as a piece that addresses themes of resolve, acceptance, and closure, capturing the essence of Swindells’ journey both physically and emotionally.
As a multi-instrumentalist and former frontman of the indie-rock group Tourist Company, Swindells brings a rich musical history to this new work. Departures is a testament to his ability to weave together intricate melodies and ambient sounds, creating a dreamlike, inspirational, and thought-provoking experience for listeners.
