By Juan Zambrano
Exodus, the latest single from Toronto indie rockers Ketch Harbour Wolves, is a beautifully sombre reflection on how a city and its people cope with change.
Exodus’ driving force is undeniably its atmosphere. An ethereal harmony between a vibrating keyboard chord and melancholic acoustic guitars steps to the mid-tempo beat playing underneath. This dreamlike instrumental arrangement perfectly captures the feeling of exploring a once familiar place, changed beyond recognition. This is melancholy nostalgic with a flurry of other emotions bubbling under the surface.
The mix of emotions is brought to the forefront by Ketch Harbour Wolves’ vocalist Jonathan Tyrrell, through whom the listener experiences Exodus’ narrative. Tyrrell’s descriptions of a seemingly dystopian Toronto are stark and sobering. It’s a Toronto where “spring is here but the magnolias late to bloom.” Influxes and exoduses are around every corner and the only traces of life include discarded blankets and footprints in the snow. These descriptions are brought to life by a vocal performance that perfectly blends feelings of confusion and hopelessness, all while remaining subdued and conversational.
All these feelings boil over at the chorus, as every fibre of Exodus’ composition reaches maximum power. The vibrating keyboard chord, pushed to the background throughout the verses, returns to prominence. The mid-tempo walking drumbeat becomes a foot stomping march and distorted electric guitars disperse around their acoustic counterparts. Rounding things out is Tyrrell, whose conversational tone rises to a passionate cry. “We tried the best we could, but my heart don’t feel as good as it should.” This single line perfectly encapsulates all that Exodus is. An admission of frustration and hopelessness in the face of change. A feeling known to many in the world today.
The sombre atmosphere disperses as Exodus comes to an end, making way for a glimmer of hope. As the instruments fade into the void, only the keyboards remain to accompany the final lyric as it echoes into the distance. “Don’t give up.” A final phrase of encouragement as both Tyrrell and the listener walk off into an uncertain future.
Exodus is an advanced single from Ketch Harbour Wolves upcoming album Avalon. The album is described as an exploration of Toronto’s psychogeography, via themes such as social upheaval, love, loss and economic collapse. These are all themes that ring relevant to society in the age of COVID and if Exodus is any indication, then listeners are in for a poetic and emotionally complex listening experience.
Purchase “Exodus” on Apple Music & Bandcamp, and stream on all your favourite online services.
