Listen: The Barr Brothers – ‘English Harbour’

Montreal’s The Barr Brothers have released ‘English Harbour’, a graceful folk hymn illuminated by Brad Barr’s distinctive guitar work and soaring harmonies from former tour mate Jim James of My Morning Jacket. An atmospheric reflection on a passing moment lost to time, the new track serves as the third preview of Let It Hiss, The Barr Brothers’ long-simmering and long-awaited fourth studio album, out Friday 17 Oct.

Anchored by Brad Barr’s measured guitar playing and delicate vocals, ‘English Harbour (feat. Jim James & Arc Iris)’ reflects the universal push and pull between giving up and holding on. Utilising his trademark falsetto, Jim James brings this struggle to life with his intimate harmonies on the pre-chorus, “You can hang it on the wall / you can lock it up / it’s a picture of us all / but we won’t give up / Some days it comes easy / like water off the fall / while some days you have to hang it up”. The tone shifts dramatically from hopeful to haunting in the chorus, “Oh bury us away / spirit us away / carry us away in your arms / Oh, lying in an English harbour waiting for the alarm.” Evocative of both distant memories and the immediate past, ‘English Harbour’ showcases The Barr Brothers’ unique blend of virtuosic musicianship and a mastery of cathartic storytelling.

Stream / Download ‘English Harbour (feat. Jim James & Arc Iris)’:
https://m.secretcityrecords.com/englishharbour

Pre-order / Pre-save Let It Hiss: https://found.ee/letithiss
Pre-order Let It Hiss Vinyl: https://found.ee/boutique-thebarrbrothers