Pale Blue Eyes - New Place

The third album from Pale Blue Eyes is called New Place – invocation of fresh horizons; swapping creamy Devon for the synth central of Sheffield. The album arrives on the back of extensive and emotional transit. For PBE, 2024 started with a wonderful tour of 12 European countries with Slowdive. Over 12,000 kilometres. Snow and deep cold in Norway and Poland. Drought-stricken landscapes in France and Spain. On and on, joyously so. The year’s end brought more movement for the married couple at the core of Pale Blue Eyes, singer and guitarist Matt Board and drummer and synth queen Lucy Board. Sadly, family tragedy catalysed a move from South Devon to South Yorkshire.

“Change is a theme throughout the new album,” says Lucy. “It’s about being in a new place, starting again but reflecting on the journey and what and who got us to this place. It's a celebration of making it to this point and starting again.”

That new start is fully manifested on Pale Blue Eyes’ new album, released on the band’s Broadcast Recordings label. Return single How Long Is Now brought uplifting synth carousels and was titled after a Berlin mural and art installation. On Pieces Of You gorgeously deliquescent guitar ripples out over Matt’s distinctive tenor voice. Be There is meditative, delicate, with guest vocals from Rachael Swinton of Glasgow electronic-rock duo Cloth. Aubrey made his own fretless bass. It features on the track Seven Years. Several tracks have input from two musicians who have featured in the PBE live line-up – Tom Sharkett, music producer and guitarist with W.H. Lung, and music producer and musician Lewis Johnson-Kellett. To go with the new album, Pale Blue Eyes have booked their biggest UK shows so far.

“The new album comes with a new landscape,” says Matt, summing up. “We were in new surroundings with new city sounds – a bit overwhelming for me, but also exciting. I hope the result is uplifting, driving, a perpetual forward motion." There are new sounds but also a steadfast Krautrock influence, alongside some of the band’s other favourite moods and flavours. The album reflects the end of an era and embracing new beginnings in a new place.