Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

BELLA1521V

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

{"time": 1694441847775, "blocks": [], "version": "2.26.4"}

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

140 Gram Vinyl with Printed Inner

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-12-01

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

PIAS

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

5400863136543

Total Cap

Black LP

BELLA1521CD

5400863136550

Artist

Harp

Genre GB

Alternative / Modern

Label GB

Bella Union

Bella Union is a UK label that has been run by Simon Raymonde, former member of Cocteau Twins, since 1997. With a focus on discovering new talent, Bella Union has introduced the world to bands such as Fleet Foxes, Beach House, Lanterns on The Lake, I Break Horses, Ballet School, and Midlake. As a ℗ & © coyright holding entity, Bella Union continues to be at the forefront of the music industry.

Bella Union are thrilled to release the long-awaited debut solo album Albion by Harp, the adopted name of Tim Smith, formerly the singer and principal songwriter of Texan legends Midlake, who is joined by his wife, Kathi Zung.

The road to Albion might have been long and winding, and bumpy to boot, but the music Harp has created is steeped in sublime melody, mood, drama and detail, its ten songs and two mood-matching instrumentals framed by a mesh of acoustic/electric guitars, soft shades of keyboards and Smith’s gorgeous voice; in other words, the quintessence of what drew people in the first place to his work with Midlake.

But Albion has starker, darker hues than Smith is typically renowned for, which lifts Albion to new heights in his canon; likewise, the level of personal revelation. These are songs about the human condition, from love - both lost and found – to faith, anxiety to joy, fear to acceptance, all couched in a highly distinct poetic language.

Since leaving Midlake, Smith has performed just once, with Lost Horizons (at London’s Festival Hall in 2018), the collective co-founded by Bella Union boss (and former Cocteau Twin) Simon Raymonde, after Smith had contributed vocals and lyrics to “She Led Me Away” for the collective’s 2017 debut Ojalá. Smith subsequently went on to contribute vocals and lyrics for the track “Grey Tower” on Lost Horizons’ second album, In Quiet Moments. Those were all-too-rare sightings of Smith, but Albion’s day has come, and in a manner of speaking, in many aspects of his life, Smith has finally come home.	

Albion

Music GB

Discover Albion by Harp, the long-awaited debut solo album from Tim Smith of Midlake. Released by Bella Union, this album is steeped in sublime melody and personal revelation. Vinyl records available.