"Crowhurst's Meme" - Ben Howard's Collections From The Whiteout
By Treasa McDonald
As an enormous Ben Howard fan, I've waited quietly and patiently for new music. CFTW does not disappoint. Those familiar with Howard's most recent albums will instantly recognise the moody synth-heavy style, exploring tones markedly different from his earlier folksy works (think Every Kingdom) and very similar to the electronic hues found throughout Noonday Dream. Co-produced with Aaron Dessner from The National, I'm excited to see how the rest of the album takes shape.
In quintessential Ben Howard style, the mastery in "Crowhurst’s Meme" stems from Howard's ability to convey in his music what is often not being said in the lyrics. There is something very human about this track and the story it tells. The verses are simple yet dark ("Terribly sorry I'm not quite right"... "When I wake up arms around you… When I wake up I'm a long way out"), and the dissonant guitar riffs throughout the tune are loaded with tension. The song itself is about Donald Crowhurst, a sailor who committed suicide after attempting to travel the world as part of The Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, but ultimately failing and becoming physically & mentally distressed out at sea. Howard describes the song as "a sort of exploration of the undocumented universal side of the story".
Emotional connection and indeed, the void that a lack thereof can create, are often recurring themes in Ben Howard's music, conveyed seamlessly through the artist's unique storytelling style. "Crowhurst's Meme" is another brilliant example of this, and we can't wait to see what other stories Collections From The Whiteout (out March 26th) will tell.