Copeland decided to call it quits in 2010 after releasing four albums, but the driving force behind the band, Aaron Marsh, reformed the project in 2014 with the release of Ixora. 2019 saw the Lakeland, Florida based trio release their sixth full length and Blushing finds itself as my #10 album of the year.
Blushing delves into dreamy, lush alternative rock sounds. It's melodic, it's experimental, there are plenty of electronic flourishes, lavish strings envelope many of the album's tracks and the album explores themes of love and relationships in its lyrics. First single "Pope" has Marsh asking, "Would you be my love, until I can prove that this world is not real?" as strings swim around his angelic voice. Also released as a single, the gorgeous "Lay Here" is a plea to a lover to just lay together, be there for each other in the face of worries and fears. "Skywriter" is a devastatingly heart-breaking ballad featuring Young Summer joining Marsh on vocals. "What's the use in loving you if it just makes me crazy?" they ask each other in this tear-jerker that explores the sadder aspects of being in love. On the opposite end of the love spectrum is "On Your Worst Day", with Marsh declaring "I just want to make you smile on your worst day".
Cohesive from start to finish, emotionally rich, sonically adventurous, Copeland's finest album to date Blushing has been a favorite since it was released in February and had the staying power to make my Top Ten of 2019.
Favorite tracks: "Lay Here", "Skywriter", "On Your Worst Day", "Pope"
Blushing was released February 15th, 2019 on Tooth & Nail Records.
Purchase Blushing from Copeland's Web Store
Purchase Blushing from Amazon.com
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