Every House We Built is not just a title; it’s a theme, a narrative, and an experience. The whole thing is constructed on a foundation of cinematic soundscapes, visions of the future, and memories of the past.
Opening up the album, “Archipelago” is the perfect song to introduce you to the strengths of Exploring Birdsong. It sets the mood, asks questions, and builds anticipation with polished synths, obsessive drums from Matt Harrison, and bass guitar from Jonny Knight delivered in a way only this band can. All of this is fronted by the comforting vocals and keys of Lynsey Ward.
Moving down the tracklist brings us to “42,” “Romanticise,” and “Footprints”, songs motivated by mistrust, poisonous motives, and innate grief. They have a way of making insecurities sound fascinating and stunning.
Exploring Birdsong are not a band to be fearful of starless, darker airs, which is obvious on tracks like “The Warning” and “You Like It Better When It Hurts.” These songs funnel raw defiance, fight, and combativeness.
It’s impossible to talk about this album and not give the title track, “Every House We Built,” a solid shout-out. It’s a song of foundation-shaking deception and heartbreak, where the band delivers a flawless message: even the strongest foundations can reveal hidden fractures.
Closing the album is “Meadowlands,” a track based on rebuilding and rebirth. It captures the longing of dusting yourself down and going again, the true signature of resilience.
This is a beautiful, honest, and stellar offering by Exploring Birdsong. It’s more than just an album.