Based in Baltimore, USA, Icarus Phoenix are a band who have been on the up recently. Stereogum labelled their EP, Son, as an “album of note” and DIY tours of Japan and the US have garnered them a cult following.

By Graeme Smith

Their fourth studio album is called I Should Have Known the Things You Never Said, and focusses on the aftermath of the band’s Drew Danburry’s divorce and separation from his son.

Musically, the album fits roughly into the label of folk rock but that doesn’t seem to capture the subtly of its ten tracks. Opening with its title track, we get some rumbling bass, grungy edge and plenty of melancholy. Soulful vocals hold the attention as they deliver a story of dying love.

Live. Give. Lose. Grow. is striking with its plodding verses and contrasting, soaring choruses. High Tide proves an early highlight thanks to its memorable melody and heart-on-sleeve lyrics.

In The Blood swings and broods. Doctor! Doctor! is delicately bittersweet and nihilistic. Hatillo 2 is a heart-breaking and narrative-rich moment. Painting sees the addition of Teleprom in a slow-burning, lingering and powerful highlight.

When it’s time to go (I don’t know if it is) sets up the album’s last leg in a lively and jangly fashion before The Sword and Harp gives us some gentle folk supported by Neva Dinova. Kanashimi features Lake Mary, and closes the album by taking us on an almost nine-minute journey that goes from ambient beginnings to a rousing, shoegaze crescendo.

You can tell while listening how much Drew and the band have put into this album. Honest lyrics are brought to emotional life through an array of rich instrumentals. It’s a peach.

I Should Have Known the Things You Never Said was recorded in Provo, Utah at June Audio with producer Jed Jones. It features contributions from Jake Bellows (of Neva Dinova fame), Justin Pacheco, Andrew Young, Chaz Prymek, and Rocky Cordray. It was written by Drew Danburry.

You can give it a listen below.