Lowtide is the debut album by Australian indie rock band Lowtide, released on 17 July 2014 by Lost and Lonesome Recording Co. and Opposite Number. It is their first full-fledged album release, after their debut EP, You Are My Good Light, in 2010 and their debut single, "Underneath Tonight/Memory No. 7" in 2011.

Lowtide
Studio album by
Released17 July 2014 (2014-07-17)
Recorded2012 – 2014
StudioSoundpark Studios[1]
Genre
Length39:34
Label
ProducerGareth Parton
Lowtide chronology
You Are My Good Light
(2010)
Lowtide
(2014)
Southern Mind
(2018)
Singles from Lowtide
  1. "Blue Movie"
    Released: 1 May 2014
  2. "Held"
    Released: 12 June 2014
  3. "Wedding Ring"
    Released: 7 October 2014

The album was promoted with three singles: "Blue Movie", "Held" and "Wedding Ring". The band also embarked on the "Album Launch Tour" to also promote the album, running from 25 July to 7 September 2014. Upon release, Lowtide received positive reviews from critics.

Background

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After releasing their debut EP, You Are My Good Light, in July 2010 as well as their debut standalone single "Underneath Tonight/Memory No. 7" in April 2011 through Bandcamp exclusively, the band published a cryptic Facebook post stating "18. 07. 14." as well as an album cover, announcing the album and its release date.[2] According to an interview by Sounds Better With Reverb, bassist and lead vocalist Giles Simon said:

We recorded the album over two years or more. We had demos and ideas for some of the songs that probably date from around the time of the first EP.[3]

In May, the band completed a test pressing of the album.[4] In May 2016, the band announced that English independent record label Opposite Number would be releasing Lowtide internationally on 5 August for the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.[5]

Promotion

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Singles and music videos

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In May 2014, "Blue Movie" was released as the lead single for the album, with its music video released the same month.[6] In June 2014, "Held" was released as the second single from the album,[7] with the music video also premiering the same month.[8] In October 2014, "Wedding Ring" was released as the third single to the album,[9] with the music video for it released in June 2016.[10]

Tour

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A tour called the "Lowtide Album Launch Tour" was planned for the album's release and promotion, running from 25 July to 7 September 2014.[11]

Artwork

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The album cover for the album depicts an explosion of a blue-blackish, rocky surface, with light pink dust and bits trailing off into the air. Some parts of the surface are visible on a sliver of the top half, with the word "Lowtide" in lowercase and bold red.[12]

Release

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The album was originally released in Australia and New Zealand on 17 July 2014 by Lost and Lonesome Recording Co. with a limited production run on vinyl records. Opposite Number then released the album in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Asia on 5 August 2016, with CD and vinyl pre-orders in those countries handled by Rough Trade.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Rolling Stone     [13]
Sounds Better With Reverb     [14]

Lowtide received positive reviews from critics. Doug Wallen from Rolling Stone gave the album a 4-star rating, praising the songs "Wedding Ring" and "Held", concluding that "The album houses a perfect mix of the driving and drifting, with songs changing shape right before our ears." Sounds Better With Reverb gave the album a positive review, stating that "‘Lowtide’ is an ambitious album and it sounds flawless".

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Whale"6:38
2."Held"2:56
3."Autumn"0:54
4."Blue Movie"4:55
5."Wedding Ring"4:27
6."Yesterday"4:00
7."Missing History"6:13
8."Maxillæ Leaving, Seaward"4:33
9."Still Time"4:55
Total length:39:31

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Catalogue no.
Australia 17 July 2014 Lost & Lonesome Recording Co. L&L86
New Zealand
United States 5 August 2016 Opposite Number oppono1[15]
United Kingdom
Europe
Asia

References

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  1. ^ "Lowtide". Bandcamp. Lost & Lonesome Recording Co. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  2. ^ "April 28, 2014". Facebook. Lowtide. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Lowtide On The Debut Album, Dual Bassists And Future Plans". Sounds Better With Reverb. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  4. ^ "May 22, 2014". Facebook. Lowtide. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  5. ^ "May 5, 2016". Facebook. Lowtide. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  6. ^ "Lowtide - Blue Movie". YouTube. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  7. ^ "Held". Facebook. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Lowtide - Held". YouTube. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  9. ^ "October 7, 2014". Facebook. Lowtide. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  10. ^ "Lowtide - Wedding Ring (official video)". YouTube. Opposite Number. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  11. ^ "July 20, 2014". Facebook. Lowtide. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  12. ^ ryansaar (5 August 2014). "Album Review: Lowtide – Lowtide". Soundly Sounds. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  13. ^ Wallen, Doug (3 July 2014). "Rolling Stone Australia - Album Review - Lowtide: Lowtide". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 3 January 2017 – via Rolling Stone.
  14. ^ "Lowtide – 'Lowtide'". Sounds Better With Reverb. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  15. ^ "Lowtide". Rough Trade. Retrieved 3 January 2017.