Newcomers The Beautiful Blū have put together a veritable all-star cast of musicians to sonically explore the difficult subject of genocide for its forthcoming debut album. While the music focuses mainly on traditional elements of genocide, its album title alludes to other subtler types of genocide, such as "social genocide.”
As a little taste of the album, The Beautiful Blū has released “One Final Day” - a soaring, arena-worthy pop-rock gem that carries with it elements of early Arcade Fire and Coldplay while remaining resoundingly original in its own right. The song explores the use of media and political marketing as a means to get young people to embrace the idea of Nationalism, to see other countries and people as a threat, and ultimately, to go to war with them.
While The Beautiful Blū wrote the songs and played on the album (piano, synth, drum programming, guitars), it also enlisted a wide variety of heavy-hitting friends for its debut. Vocals were handled by prominent English artist Bill Ryder-Jones, who played with the Arctic Monkeys as a session and touring guitarist. He also founded UK-based band The Coral. Two-time Juno Award (equivalent of a Grammy) nominee Mark Kelso manned the drums, and David Baron (who has worked extensively with everyone from The Lumineers to Lenny Kravitz to Lana Del Rey) played synths and handled mixing duties. Byron Isaacs, who records and tours with The Lumineers, played bass and Sophie Michalitsianos (of “Hello Moto” fame) handled background vocals..
The Beautiful Blū explains further:
“Our upcoming album “iGenocide” reflects the experience of interacting with survivors of such atrocities. Not everyone came into the studio with the same exposure to the people who suffered through these events. Yet, we were able to bond as musicians around the music. In doing so, it served as a beautiful reminder that music emphasizes the qualities that bring people together, as opposed to pushing them apart.”
The collaborative spirit shines through within “One Final Day,” as well as the entire forthcoming concept album “iGenocide” which includes more contributions from Jones, Baron and Michalitsianos as well as other impressive and prolific guests sprinkled throughout.
