Press Release: Bodywash Announces New Album "I Held the Shape While I Could" and Shares Lead Single/Video "Massif Central"
Montreal-based duo Bodywash, consisting of Chris Steward and Rosie Long Decter, is set to release their new album, "I Held the Shape While I Could," on April 14th via Light Organ Records. Alongside the announcement, they have shared the lead single and accompanying video, "Massif Central." The album consists of twelve tracks that explore themes of loss, dislocation, and rebuilding from the ground up.
On "Massif Central," listeners are treated to a combination of stark guitars, relentless drums, and Steward's whispered vocals as he shares his experience of bureaucratic purgatory, caused by a simple typo in a government letter that resulted in the loss of his legal work status in Canada.
Steward and Long Decter's collaboration started in college in 2014, where they sought to merge their diverse musical backgrounds. While Steward's influences lie in British dream pop and shoegaze, Long Decter's musical roots stem from folk and Canadiana. Their unique blend of airy vocals, intricate guitar work, and atmospheric synths led to the release of their debut EP in 2016 and their first full-length album, "Comforter," in 2019.
Following the release of "Comforter," both Long Decter and Steward experienced personal upheavals that led to a shared sense of dislocation. This experience influenced their new material, which is darker, more experimental, and simultaneously invigorating compared to their previous dream pop sound. The duo enlisted the help of drummer Ryan White and recording/mixing engineer Jace Lasek (Besnard Lakes) to bring their new vision to life in the studio.
"I Held the Shape While I Could" explores the themes of decay and renewal, with sounds that represent the tension between the organic and digital realms. The album conveys the idea that home is not a fixed concept but a constantly evolving process, as Steward's abstract guitars and Long Decter's cascading vocals create an ambient throughline that is both ethereal and elusive.
With "I Held the Shape While I Could," Bodywash invites listeners to experience their unique journey through loss and rebirth, as they navigate the complexities of life and redefine their sense of home.
https://bodywashmtl.bandcamp.com/album/i-held-the-shape-while-i-could
