Announced: The Maple Trail – Sundial

The Maple Trail is the expansive musical project of Australian multi-instrumentalist and composer Aidan Roberts. Beginning in the early 2000s in the Blue Mountains, the project was born out of a need to explore a quieter, more introspective counterpoint to his rock beginnings. His debut solo album Sounds of Planes introduced a raw acoustic palette, but it was only the first step in what would become an evolving body of work spanning over two decades.

Over three albums—Dirty Echo Spark (2007), Radio Twilight Lost (2009), and Cable Mount Warning (2012)—Roberts carved out a unique sonic world. Influenced by the likes of Grizzly Bear, Sufjan Stevens, and cinematic composers, The Maple Trail’s sound matured into a textured fusion of folk, ambient pop, and experimental tones.

Now, after years of personal and artistic transformation, including global touring success with Tubular Bells for Two, a deep dive in to illustration, and the release of his graphic novel Dead City Lullabies. Roberts returns to The Maple Trail for one final chapter: Sundial.

Sundial marks a creative apex. It abandons genre confines, blending dream pop, folktronica, and indie/alternative storytelling into a work that feels both emotionally intimate and sonically vast. It is the culmination of a journey, both musical and human, and a tribute to the decades-long evolution of a singular artistic voice.

Built around Fairlight synth emulations and Linn Drum samples, lead single and title-track ‘Sundial’ explores themes of failure, redemption, and renewal. The minimal arrangement supports layers of backing vocals and VHS-era textures, inspired by 80s sci-fi and the unsettling nostalgia of childhood. It became the centrepiece of an animated film made in lockdown.

Stream / download ‘Sundial’ here.
Pre-order / pre-save Sundial here.