The Riflebirds of Portland digitally release “Pieces of Time” after nearly 40 years.

Portland, Oregon’s The Riflebirds of Portland re-released the single "Pieces of Time" via Regional Records on February 27, 2026.

Ahead of the re-release of their debut album April, which was initially released on cassette in 1989, Portland folk outfit The Riflebirds of Portland have reissued the single ‘Pieces of Time.’ A beautiful piece that fully embodies the spirit of nostalgia and memory, the group taps into a timeless sonic palette that evokes Fleetwood Mac or King Harvest. Vocalist Kate Lieuallen glides over the sunny production, which blends bright acoustic guitar chords and tranquil drums, with poise and elegance.

“Forgetting winter’s icy breath / Forgetting all unquietness / but I heard a clock chime, and it changes my mind / we’re so scared of pieces of time,” Lieuallen croons before an accordion breakdown bursts into the forefront, ushering in the song’s chorus. Thematically, the song seems to touch on a love lost to the annals of time, with Lieuallen hoping to re-connect someday, made clear in lines like “Maybe in April / When flowers thrill / I’ll meet you walking upon a hill” or “Maybe sometime / We’ll fly a spaceship across the sky / And settle on a world somewhere / One which you are always near.”

Despite the intimate and personal lyrics, Lieuallen’s performance and the group’s melodic sensibilities as a whole keep the track catchy and light. It’s a track you may very easily find yourself listening to repeatedly. The reflective and nostalgic tone, combined with the themes of reconnection, also feels appropriate given the context in which the song is being released. For a band that’s been gone for nearly 40 years, the song’s muse could easily be interpreted as music itself, with Lieuallen pining to reconnect with a lifelong passion that, even after all these years, never really left. All in all, ‘Pieces of Time’ is a catchy and enjoyable listen that successfully builds hype for The Riflebirds of Portland’s long-awaited digital release of April.