The few times that Birds In Row do release a new album, it’s a doozy. The last time the French experimental hardcore group blessed the world with brand-new music was in 2018, when sophomore album We Already Lost The World completely changed some lives. They’re back now with a brand-new song on a new label signing.
The new Birds In Row song “Water Wings” is their debut for Red Creek Recordings after two albums for Deathwish; the label will release the group’s third album this fall. The song is as intense as anything Birds In Row has ever recorded, but there are also periods when it is hard-charging and forward-looking. Although Birds In Row don’t really do poppy, we’d label it that. A band statement regarding their brand-new song:
The dreams that are imposed on us — of social success, accomplishment or, even, the vision of what happiness is — does not consider who we are or where we’re from. Those dreams aren’t ours, but are inherently ours. Being ourselves means struggling against these dreams that have been forced onto us.
I drew a few steps on the first street,
Jumped to a store locals named Million Ways To Fuck It Up.
It Seems we all wish to sell ourselves to a million offers.
Dozen letters in my pocket, from people I respect, and no way to write back: Return to sender, Attention not found.
Confusing loneliness for freedom, solitude for a serum, and complaints for poetry, I fell, I failed.
I betrayed the kid I kept safe from all counterfeit hopes and all the snakes we swallow.
An aisle of silicon hands to shake and crush your throat.
Where do we go from here ?
Water wings sell like balloon shaped hopes.
Where do we go from here ?
A burden is a burden to the burdened.
They’d sell the limbless a course on how to sink with elegancy.
I took it back to the street, bought whatever they had, thought I should write down my dreams, A notebook by the bed In case I’m lucky tonight. Fantasized on how to beat regret. I’ll eventually crack it but you know me, I’ll just forget. And I almost find sleep. Pressing my eyes, watching colors, Summer for cold feet. Stains and tunnels, abstraction bores me, here no museums are free. I don’t want to be young.
I don’t want to be old enough to remember all the things I projected but never touched in fear of ruining dreams I don’t possess.
And these are dreams that I’ll never forgive.
Water wings of lead, they are dreams that I’ll never forgive. ✪
