Gruff Rhys ‘The Almond & the Seahorse’ OST out now
February 24, 2023
Gruff Rhy’s new album, The Almond & The Seahorse is out now. The 22-track album comprises original songs and instrumental score, all composed by Gruff Rhys. The title of the film itself refers to the nicknames given to the parts of our brains that lay down new memories and hold on to the old ones. Recorded between 2021-2022 with a host of featured musicians including members of the National Orchestra of Wales, the music features throughout the film of the same name, starring Charlotte Gainsbourg, Rebel Wilson and Celyn Jones.
“Magic…top drawer power pop” UNCUT
“Original songs which captivate” MOJO
“Pure Gruff Brilliance” SHINDIG
The soundtrack is available digitally and as a foil numbered, limited edition double-LP, on transparent yellow vinyl with a fold out film poster by acclaimed movie poster designer Akiko Stehrenberger, who also designed the album artwork, and digitally. It can be-ordered today via the Rough Trade Records store.
Gruff says about the album, “I was encouraged by Mike Jones the editor to take things to a more acoustic, emotional and ragged place. That, I hope, roughly explains the trajectory of the recording and how the varied music contained in this record came about. I hope you enjoy this colorful scrapbook of a soundtrack and get a chance to watch the film”.
Tonally, the soundtrack compliments the movie perfectly: the drama of the subject matter and the human relationships is counterbalanced by the film’s wry humour and lightness of touch, and the varied compositions and styles on Gruff Rhys’ score and compositions reflects that. “The soundtrack for The Almond & the Seahorse was recorded largely in pandemic conditions so it was a matter of recording in bursts of possible activity in various friends’ studios, homes and even scout halls as chance permitted. It’s a varied quilt work as a result. “Gruff notes. “As sonic flagpoles I wanted to signify the film’s location in Liverpool and the Wirral by liberally, but hopefully not too obviously, using the Mellotron synthesizer (as famously used in Strawberry Fields by the Beatles & therefore in my mind it represents that great city sonically) and the Cello as a nod to its use by Gwen’s character in the film.”
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Featured Release
Gruff Rhys
The Almond & The Seahorse
24 February 2023
Deluxe 2LP, Digital
Buy / Stream This release is not available from Rough Trade in your country