There has always been something organic about Held By Trees, a feeling that they could grow and develop in almost any direction. Inspired by Talk Talk and Mark Hollis (and working with musicians closely aligned with them), Held By Trees originally paid homage with a series of albums and EP’s that were an extension of that earthy, instrumental sound found on Spirit Of Eden and Laughing Stock. However, Held By Trees were never going to stay in the shade for long, and whist they haven’t completely torn up their roots latest album, The Call Of Home, finds the band blossoming, exploring new musical textures and territory.

If long term fans of Held By Trees were freaked out by my introduction, then they’ll be eased somewhat by opening track ‘In This Moment’. It’s an insidious number that slowly ingratiates itself into the listener’s psyche, a tiny acorn from which a mighty oak grows, ‘In This Moment’ finds Held By Trees on familiar ground, painting their canvas with both pastel shades and bright splashes of colour, making their instruments “speak” in a way that vocalised music rarely does. It’s emotive and evocative with guitars that sparkle like stars in an inky black sky and drums that will get under your skin like a bad case of formication, its hypnotic nature altering the very fabric of time. It’s a nice way to ease us into this new era of Held By Trees; their change being gradual growth rather than a violent shift.

Vocals are nothing new to Held By Trees, with world renowned singer Martin Smith adding his tones to an eponymously-titled 2024 EP, but what is new is the prominent role they play on The Call Of Home. It means that after the ethereal opener, the following ‘Not Home Yet’ hits like a splash of cold water to a sleeping face; featuring the voice of Simone Marie, it’s a song that sweeps and soars as if a bird on a summer breeze. With (almost) every track featuring a different singer, each song has its own personality with the following ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ encapsulating the dark side of the 1980’s (think early Cure), whilst ‘Turning Back’ recalls Seasons End Marillion, yet the songs also fit together well, the whole album hanging as a cohesive whole. That’s partly due to the band (albeit with new personnel), but it feels as if each vocalist has been given an exorbitant amount of freedom, carte blanche to use their words as an instrument, which in turn gives each track its unique personality. So, whilst vocals might be a revolutionary move for Held By Trees, the result isn’t; it’s essentially the same sound, only with words adding an extra texture to their rich tapestry.

Another instrumental bookends the album to bring things full circle, a sense that the band are returning to source. As such it gives no indication of where the band might travel next, but on the strength of ‘Sounds Of Home’, it’s bound to be interesting.

• The Call Of Home is released via Tweed Jacket Music/Low Port Music on 2nd October 2026.

Track List:

1. In This Moment
2. Not Home Yet
3. It Won’t Always Be Like This
4. Turning Back
5. The Call Of Home
6. Lay Your Troubles Down
7. Needed Time
8. Love Unfailing
9. Belong
10. Shine On
11. Sounds Of Home