Yellow Sands; Or, Eight Tales of Pixie Mischief is the latest self-released album by Cries for Colour. The songwriting reflects a difficult last few years; an ongoing health crisis, becoming a caregiver, and experiences with mental illness shape the album’s concept about disease, madness, and fairies.

Built around the contributions of musicians from around the world, including Australian-born bassist Colin Edwin (formerly of Porcupine Tree), Yellow Sands is genre-bending—the album’s eight pieces veer from hazy and ethereal psychedelic pop to fragile indie folk and cosmic post-rock. Copies of the album are also accompanied by a historical essay on Victorian “mad artists,” masculinity, and asylum reform. File under self-indulgent and unapologetically odd.

Out now!

Bandcamp downloads of Yellow Sands; Or, Eight Tales of Pixie Mischief are accompanied by a lavishly designed companion essay PDF, which explores the history that inspired many of the album’s cryptic and strange lyrics. It can also be read independently (without downloading the album) by pressing the button below.

The album is also available in an archaic format appropriate for this strange musick: CDs with lovingly handmade packaging—each copy includes a handwritten letter to the listener and a double sided insert with album credits. Bound in twine, handstamped with the Mark of the Pixie, and signed. Limited run of 100 copies.

Free shipping within Canada and the U.S. for both shirts and CDs.