Svalbard have released an animated video for their new single How To Swim Down, taken from their upcoming album The Weight Of The Mask.
“This song is about the exquisite pain and sorrowful beauty of unrequited love. I think it’s the saddest, most heart-breaking song we’ve ever written. Lyrically, the starting point of the verse is about concealment of adoration, before the chorus gives way to realising and accepting a fate of loving someone quietly from afar,” says vocalist Serena Cherry.
“I cannot watch the music video for How To Swim Down without crying. Boy has captured the bittersweet emotion of the song so delicately, it’s an incredibly moving piece of animation to watch.
“Musically, How To Swim Down saw us dive into unchartered waters with Liam adding many layers of mournful violin parts onto the track. Finally, violins – for the first time in Svalbard history! It feels so exciting to have new instruments on a song. Another first is that How To Swim Down features only clean vocals, no screams. I wanted the vocal delivery of these lyrics to feel as though I’m whispering a secret to someone whilst they’re sleeping. My vocals here represent that lonely type of communication, singing to yourself in an empty house. It’s a private, selfless love song, where only the listener knows of my heartache.”
The Weight Of The Mask is due for release on 6th October 2023 via Nuclear Blast Records, available to pre-order HERE.
See Svalbard live at one of the following dates:
October 2023
Sat 14th – NIJMEGEN, NL – Soulcrusher
Sun 15th – COLOGNE, DE – Helios 37
Mon 16th – BERLIN, DE – Urban Spree
Tue 17th – DRESDEN, DE – Chemiefabrik
Wed 18th – NEUNKIRCHEN, DE – Stummsche Reithalle
Thu 19th – PARIS, FR – Backstage By The Mill
Fri 20th – LONDON, UK – Beyond The Redshift (curated by Cult Of Luna)
Sat 21st – LEEDS, UK – The Key Club
