Open Here is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Field Music. Released by Memphis Industries on 2 February 2018, the album combines elements of alternative rock and chamber pop, and includes a wider range of musical instruments than previous Field Music albums, predominantly featuring flutes, horns, and string instruments. The band attempted to create a unique instrumental combination for each song; Field Music’s David and Peter Brewis felt more confident about expanding the range of instruments on the album, after having made a film soundtrack with an orchestra just before the recording of Open Here began. Open Here is more overtly political in its themes than Field Music’s previous albums, with many of the songs inspired by David and Peter Brewis’ frustration with the result of the Brexit referendum vote. Songs like “Goodbye to the Country” and “Count It Up”, the latter of which focuses on societal privileges enjoyed by white members of the middle- and upper-class, directly address Brexit; David Brewis described them as “definitely the angriest songs I have ever written”. Other songs were inspired by David and Peter Brewis’ children and the responsibilities of parenting, including “No King No Princess”, which speaks out against social conceptions of femininity and masculinity. Despite occasionally serious or cynical topics, Field Music attempted to infuse a sense of optimism and fun within Open Here; the opening track “Time in Joy”, in particular, was described by Peter Brewis as an effort to confront difficult times “with a deliberate sense of fun”. Open Here was the last of five consecutive albums Field Music recorded at their home studio in Sunderland, which was to be demolished shortly after the album was completed. Field Music involved a large number of guest musicians in recording the album, including saxophonist Pete Fraser, trumpeter Simon Dennis, flutist Sarah Hayes, and singer Liz Corney of The Cornshed Sisters, as well as the band’s usual string quartet. “Count It Up” was the first single from Open Here, and a music video was released for the song. Additional singles included “Time in Joy” and “Share a Pillow”. The album received positive reviews, and appeared on several year-end lists of the best albums of 2018. Several reviewers compared Open Here to the work of such artists as David Bowie, Talking Heads, Steely Dan, Prince, Peter Gabriel, and XTC.

Tracklisting

1. Time In Joy (6:21)
2. Count It Up (3:44)
3. Front Of House (1:46)
4. Share A Pillow (2:55)
5. Open Here (2:30)
6. Goodbye To The Country (2:28)
7. Checking On A Message (3:25)
8. No King No Princess (3:43)
9. Cameraman (3:44)
10. Daylight Saving (3:39)
11. Find A Way To Keep Me (5:34)

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Videos

Field Music - Time In Joy

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• New album Open Here out 2nd February
• Field Music - Share A Pillow

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