After years “lost at sea,” Zach Blew returns to shore with an elegant, emotionally-charged collection of songs which tenderly share his experiences with self-acceptance, discovery, healing, and the difficulties that can come with these processes.
Hailing from Austin, Texas, Blew crafted his new album whilst observing the docks of Sausalito, CA, blending imagery of the ocean and our attempts to explore it into the core of the record, giving it the title Away at Sea. Produced by Kevin Ann Dye, the album features the full sound of the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, offering a mature, enchanting energy that whisks listeners into Blew’s world.
The album sets sail with “Whirlpool,” beginning the album with a swelling, hopeful orchestral intro, giving way to a melody nostalgic of a 1960s love ballad.
Blew’s soft, clear baritone vocals blend with the instrumentals to tell a story of consuming, painful love: “I’m in your whirlpool baby / The world is a wall of my tears spinning around me,” sings the artist, expressing sentiments that could be applied to a relationship with another person or with a system that rejects you, a common theme as he explores his past reconciliation with spirituality and his sexuality. “Keeping me barely above this sinking love / Saltwater blind / Pretending you’re the land I’ll find,” he sings of the unforgiving love.
“Film,” the album’s second single and third track on the record, switches things up with an R&B-like beat and a more sensual feel. The grounding groove contrasts with Blew’s tender voice, creating a track easy to sway to. Keeping with the nautical imagery, Blew sings “You’re a ship without a captain / Baby I’m the sea / And all this time / All this time / You’re mine.” Different from the songs expressing grief on Away at Sea, “Film” expresses a grounded, pleasurable feeling, perhaps sharing the confidence and security that comes with accepting one’s identity.
Another standout song is the sixth track, “Still In My System,” which showcases the power of blending sounds that may not traditionally seem to accompany each other. Orchestral strings combine with a deep beat to create a physically gratifying, powerful song. “Drank from your poison babe / Drank from your poison babe / Take from your poison babe / Hang around a little longer babe,” Blew sings with breathy, still tender vocals, conveying the slightly mischievous, indulgent energy of the track.
Rounding out the ten-track album, “Yes” takes us back to the emotional, gentle vibes of the opening song. Electric guitar plays in a tender, bittersweet repetitive melody, a heartbeat-like groove keeps the track cruising as Blew sings of self-acceptance and allowing oneself to absorb the good in life.
“I’m hesitating to say yes / Afraid of how this could end / Can I stay afloat / I got holes in my body over time,” he sings, moving through both fear and love. “Am I worthy of your hand and your holding / Yes / I’m believing yes,” is the note on which Blew ends the album, closing the story with a track of hope.
The album release show of Away at Sea will take place April 27th at The 04 Center in Austin. Fans of Blew will be able to come together to celebrate the record’s emotional depth, instrumental strength, and heartfelt story of overcoming the self-doubt we internalize.
Featured photo by Jon Jacobsen
