LISTEN: Dispatch Returns With Powerful New Release ‘PHASE 1’
LISTEN: Dispatch Returns With Powerful New Release ‘PHASE 1’
The first in a series of phased releases that will form their eighth studio album
Words By: Jason Russo
The acclaimed roots rock band, Dispatch, is back after a two-year hiatus with a phased release project that will come together to form the band’s eighth studio album. The first release of the project, Phase 1, brings three new and exciting tracks — “May We All,” “All This Time,” and “One By One.” Each song grapples with personal struggles like losing loved ones and adapting to great changes in life as well as highly relevant external fears concerning the political atmosphere and general frustrations with living in America today.
Phase 1 reflects moments of powerful personal and social change in the band’s lives. Pete Francis, the third member of Dispatch, stepped away from the band back in 2018 due to mental health concerns. The remaining members, Chadwick Stokes and Brad Corrigan both dealt with the loss of close family members while also welcoming children into their lives. The songs reflect the difficulties of processing these changes both within the band and in their own lives in conjunction with the political and social upheaval that we have been witnessing recently. “Everyone in this country has been facing some kind of turmoil these last four years,” said Chadwick Stokes. “As fathers of young kids who worry about what kind of world we’re leaving behind, as people who’ve lost family and friends to suicide and addiction, as bandmates navigating this transition from trio to duo, I think that feeling of everything being in flux was particularly acute for Brad and me. Writing’s always been the way we’ve made sense of the world, though, so that’s what we did.”
While the tracks may be dealing with immense changes, their sound is everything we’ve come to expect from Dispatch. Their musical roots mix a variety of genres — from folk rock, blues, and even reggae, to craft three powerful new additions to their discography.
One of the strongest tracks from Phase 1 is “All This Time” which features vocals from The White Buffalo. The song swells with poetic lyrics that lament the current political state of our country and the very personal effects it can have. “Cradle to the grave, sword to the saddle, it’s each other we will miss,” is one of the most powerful lyrics on the project that accurately describes how quickly time passes and how polarized our country has become. While none of the tracks shy away from politics, “All This Time” is one of the most politically aware of the three.
Over their almost 25-year career, Dispatch has earned its place as one of the most successful independent music projects to date. The band’s unique sound and political messages have resonated with fans across the globe, and Phase 1 exceeded all expectations. Fans of Noah Gunderson, Bon Iver, and Julien Baker will especially love this latest project. Phase 1 is just the beginning, so stay tuned for Phase 2 which will be released in the coming weeks.
