Single Review: Thrice Returns with Captivating New Single Albatross

THRICE IS BACK, BABY!!! Now that I've got my initial “oh hell yeah” out of the way, Thrice is back with a new single, “Albatross,” and a new album, “Horizon/West,” set to release on October 3rd. I have been a fan of Thrice since hearing “Stare at the Sun” off the album “The Artist in the Ambulance” that was released 22 years ago… god, I feel old saying that. But we're here to talk about “Albatross,” and I am here to say that everything about this song and video is incredible. 

“Albatross” shows us how versatile Thrice can be. Their older catalog with albums such as “The Artist in the Ambulance” and “The Illusion of Safety” showcases their more aggressive side, and “Albatross” shows their more soulful side. It’s a perfect continuation from their last album “Horizons/East” with a more cinematic approach to their music. 

What I really appreciate about Thrice is that their lyrics have so much soul in them, and they are not always straightforward. They make you think, and Dustin always has lyrics in every song that stand out. For "Albatross," the lyrics that stand out to me are the chorus: “They keep tellin’ me our stars are crossed, but I think you might be my Albatross, we learn to run before we walk, there's so much time to steal, before the sun goes down.” It’s dark, haunting, and yet so beautiful, and I can relate to it. I would love to ask Dustin what the lyrics to the song mean to him because of how he writes. I can interpret it a different way than him or even the person next to me. The mystery and beauty in his lyrics intrigue me. 

The musicianship and structure of the song “Albatross” are impeccable and tight. The instrumentals and Dustin’s lyrics coincide with each other. They feed off each other and know when to let the other part breathe. An example of this is the chorus, which is straightforward, allowing the lyrics to shine, and the bridge/solo/jam section showcases the band's instrumentation. The progression of this song is somewhat predictable, which is never a bad thing. I appreciate that after the bridge, there was still another minute and a half of the song, which intrigued me because it made me think about what Thrice has up their sleeve for the remainder of the song. 

The production of this song can’t go unsaid because it’s incredible. Dustin has such a unique voice with his low, raspy yet clean, soulful style that, with the wrong mastering, can be easily drowned out by the low end in the guitars. The leads are also not overpowering and are not drowned out either by the vocals or the other instruments. This is well mixed and mastered, allowing the listener to hear and feel all instruments—a chef's kiss for the producer and the people who mastered it.

Also, bravo on the lyric video. Director Sean Stout captures the vibe of the song in this cinematic lyric video that draws you into the song even more. Beautifully done!!!

I am so happy to say Thrice is back with an incredible single. After hearing “Albatross,” words can’t describe how excited I am to hear the rest of this album. Thrice has aged like fine wine over the last three decades with eleven studio albums. Their twelfth studio album, “Horizon/West,” is set to release on October 3rd via Epitaph Records. You can listen to their single on all major platforms and catch them on tour this fall. Well done, Thrice, well done.