Cargo Records

Deep Politics

First new studio album in nearly 3 years. Follow-up to their biggest-selling Doomsdayer’s Holiday album. RIYL: Rodrigo y Gabriela, Explosions In The Sky, Tool, Ennio Morricone, RZA, Flying Lotus. “Grails successfully tap into something truly celestial.”Pitchfork. “A multi-textured out-rock masterpiece.” Mojo. When Grails released Doomsdayer’s Holiday – their highly acclaimed and most commercially successful release to date – in 2008, it marked the end of a highly prolific and inspired three-year period that spawned two full-length albums, four EPs, a DVD and countless tours with the likes of Boris, MONO, Earth, Om, Silver Apples, and the late Jack Rose. When multi-instrumentalist Emil Amos officially became a full-time member of Om, it allowed Grails the rare chance to decompress and reinvent themselves (again).

Deep Politics was conceived during the lengthiest gestation period between Grails albums, and reflects a deeper, more educated level of concentration. In their ongoing exploration of occult/fringe culture and the rich history of film music, they have cultivated a unique environment that inspires both an eternal sense of longing and an indelible sense of dread. Produced by the band, as always, the most immediately noticeable advances are the lush string arrangements (courtesy of acclaimed composer Timba Harris) and increasing use of the same kind of fetishistic cut-and-paste production techniques that made producers like RZA and MF Doom hip-hop legends. It’s a seemingly unlikely twist to the Grails aesthetic, but not unusual given the size of the pot in which they’ve stirred just about every genre imaginable. Through tireless exploration and awe-inspiring execution, Grails have found their true calling as purveyors of a new kind of library music, to be discovered by future generations of crate diggers and curious forward-thinkers.