New Zealand-based band The Veils have just released their new single “The Ladder” and simultaneously announced the upcoming release of their highly anticipated seventh studio album, Asphodels. With their debut album, The Runaway Found, having turned 20 last year, the new album marks a significant milestone for the band, and “The Ladder” gives us a taste of what is yet to come.
The new single initially found inspiration from the Dutch painter, Hieronymus Bosch and his fantastical art, where his depictions of ladders were associated with the idea of spiritual ascent. Frontman Finn Andrews explains, “It’s about the longing to transcend the relentless chaos of our world, I suppose. But don’t let that description get you down, it’s also a jaunty little number.”
Andrew’s mahogany vocals and folky harmonies melt over a warm piano melody and rumbling percussion. The soaring string arrangements mimic the role of another band member, as they ebb and flow to create sections of heightened emotion before retreating to softer, more intimate moments. The songwriter shares, “This harks back to all the old records I grew up listening to in my youth, recorded in times before multitrack recording where the band would all be in one room gathered around a single microphone.”
Much like the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch, “The Ladder” is an immersive experience, fully encompassing the listener and giving us a peek into the world of Asphodels.
