Name: The Watchful Eye of the Stars
Brand: Adrian Crowley

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

CHEM257CD

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "CHEM257CD"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-04-30

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

PIAS

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

5024545912524

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "5024545912524"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Adrian Crowley

Genre GB

Alternative / Modern

Label GB

Chemikal Underground

Adrian Crowley is an acclaimed singer-songwriter known for his hauntingly beautiful music. With a career spanning over two decades, *Crowley* has established himself as one of the most talented and respected artists in the industry. His unique blend of folk, indie rock, and atmospheric soundscapes creates a mesmerizing listening experience that captivates audiences worldwide.

Influenced by artists such as James Yorkston, Stuart A. Staples, and Lambchop, *Crowley* has carved out his own distinctive style that sets him apart from his peers. His introspective lyrics delve into themes of love, loss, and the human condition with poetic grace. Each song is meticulously crafted with intricate melodies and lush arrangements that showcase *Crowley's* exceptional musicianship.

*Crowley's* discography boasts a diverse range of albums that have garnered critical acclaim and loyal fans. From his early releases like "A Strange Kind" to more recent works such as "Dark Eyed Messenger," each album showcases *Crowley's* evolution as an artist while maintaining his signature sound.

Chemikal Underground is a Scottish music label that was founded in 1995 by the band The Delgados. With a rich history spanning over two decades, this label has established itself as a prominent force in the music industry. Known for their innovative and diverse roster of artists, Chemikal Underground continues to push boundaries and nurture talent.
Since its inception, Chemikal Underground has been dedicated to supporting independent musicians and promoting their work. Their commitment to artistic integrity and creativity is evident in the wide range of genres represented on their roster. From indie rock to electronic music, this label offers something for every musical taste.
With an impressive catalog of releases under their belt, Chemikal Underground has garnered critical acclaim and numerous accolades throughout the years. Their influence on the Scottish music scene cannot be overstated, as they have played a pivotal role in shaping its identity and fostering local talent.

One stormy night in Ireland, Adrian Crowley’s brother brought home a wounded crow. After taking care of it for a time, the crow flew away on its own, leaving an impression behind: Crowley wrote a story, which would later become the aptly titled “Crow Song” on this, his brand new record and ninth studio album The Watchful Eye of the Stars. He sings, “And I was joyous for you, but shattered none-the-less.”

Suffused with a hazy and surreal quality, Crowley describes Watchful Eye’s poignant narratives as those which insisted themselves upon him. After the fact, it seemed these songs came to him more or less fully formed. “It’s a beautiful and mysterious thing,” he says. Perhaps it is a tendency to hold onto memories (“It’s taken me so long to write to you / Well I just couldn’t find a pen,” he laments in “Bread and Wine”), that allows him to unleash them lyrically in completion. For Crowley, the creative process is an organic event rather than a practice he feels compelled to regulate or control. He approaches lyrics much like he does short story writing. “The songs straddle the conscious and subconscious world and some are even psychedelic in my mind, but to me they are all at once true stories and born of another place,” he shares.

In making the album, Crowley moved between studio and at home recording, while John Parish (Aldous Harding, PJ Harvey) produced. The pair worked from tracks made initially by Crowley on a charity shop ¾ size nylon string guitar or Mellotron: “In this way, John wanted to keep some of the magic of that first take”, says Crowley. Contradictions and complexities are left intact, initial recordings were limited to one or two takes, and the songs feel more like a dream recounted upon waking.

The Watchful Eye of the Stars

Music GB