Irish Lights share the haunting and elegant new single ‘Haulbowline’.
A striking blend of off kilter, acoustic guitars, synth and piano, the instrumental acts as an image conjuring soundtrack, aimed at capturing the aura of the mystical Irish coastline.
The project of US duo Benjamin Fox and Gordon Cooper, the pair draw inspiration from the rugged beauty and remote lighthouses of Ireland. Now known for creating ambient, electronic, and acoustic into atmospheric explorations of isolation and nature, the new single ‘Haulbowline’ continues this tradition, offering an expansive soundscape that blends electronic and acoustic instruments but ultimately creates a soundscape that is arming and organic.
‘Haulbowline’, is named after the 200-year-old lighthouse at the entrance to Carlingford Lough in County Down, Northern Ireland and does a brilliant job of capturing the essence of life at sea. The lighthouse, which has stood as a watchful guardian over turbulent waters for generations, was the first in Ireland to be fully automated. For Irish Lights, this lighthouse symbolises resilience and the solitary beauty of the ocean—key themes that the duo weaves into their evocative music.
Through its half strummed and half percussively hit and slapped acoustic guitar, the track ebbs and flows like the sounds of the sea knocking and crashing against the side of a boat. The Lo-Fi aesthetic is at the heart of this feel, bringing something woody and warm to the track, and ultimately helping Irish Lights transport you into the heart of a desolate sea journey, where isolation and tranquility co-exist, creating a meditative and hypnotic, listening experience.
According to the duo, “Haulbowline” is more than just a tribute to the lighthouse—it’s an exploration of the human experience of isolation. “There’s something about the lighthouse,” Fox reflects, “It stands alone, facing whatever comes at it, but it’s always there to guide others. We wanted to explore that sense of solitude but also resilience and quiet strength.”
Listen below:
