THE THE mirror the strangeness of the times, with new record Ensoulment.

Acclaimed THE THE are back from their long hiatus with new album release Ensoulment out September 6th.

Long-time THE THE fans rejoice! The english post-punk band has released their highly anticipated record Ensoulment. In true THE THE form, this album encapsulates the trials and tribulations of the 21st century, while maintaining the stirring lyricism and storytelling that THE THE listeners hold dear.

Recorded mostly during lockdown (and not under the happiest of circumstances) – Ensoulment captures the tension and uncertainty of its surroundings, setting the stage with a taste of darkness by way of a jarring off-kilter ambience in ‘Cognitive Dissident.’ This track, like many others on the record, is a bluesy upside down and inside out anthem, and challenges listeners to consider their perspective on right vs wrong.

With jangling, growling guitars, echoing bright keys, and playful gravelly vocals, listeners will go on a journey of sonic exploration with elements of pop ballads, theatrical rock, and folk hymns – all while tackling themes of sexuality, democracy, AI, and mortality. Ensoulment steadily rolls along, and encourages listeners to maintain their identities and sincerity against the pressures of life online and social discourse.

One standout track on Ensoulment is ‘Some Days I Drink My Coffee By The Grave of William Blake,’ with its walking bass lines and bright, twinkling guitars somewhat reminiscent of The Animals’ ‘House of the Rising Sun.’ ‘Some Days I Drink My Coffee By The Grave of William Blake,’ is inspired by Johnson’s visits to William Blake’s grave in the cemetery that has always been in close proximity to him in London, and remains a place of peace and consistency, while the world continues to change around him. The track boasts shimmery vocals that whisper into your ear, beckoning you in.

We end on track ‘A Rainy Day in May’, which is a sweet and somber final note, with layered bright synths, offering some hope for what comes next for THE THE and for us.

As to be expected, THE THE deliver in all of the areas they are best at with Ensoulment : poignant commentary and emotional lyricism by Matt Johnson, and smooth grooving instrumentation from start to finish. Perhaps this record serves as a means of healing, of 24 years of hardships and grief, and offers both a warning and some optimism towards grieving the loss of time, and those gone too soon.

Pre-order Ensoulment by The The HERE