Originally formed as a way to pay homage to the music of Mark Hollis (Talk Talk), Held By Trees soon took on a life of their own. While their roots still reach back to Mark, this ensemble have grown and evolved, developing a unique sound that owes much to the earthy nature of Talk Talk, whilst firmly stamping it with their own identity. Their second full-length album, Hinterland, evidences more of that evolution and presents eight evocative soundscapes that’ll reach deep into your soul and become part of your physiology.

As anyone familiar with Held By Trees will attest, the band are in no rush preferring to patiently build their soundscapes, letting them grow organically and opening track ‘Edge Of Town’ is indicative of this. It’s akin to a tree blossoming over spring; it happens almost imperceptibly and before you know it you are greeted with rich foliage. In a similar way ‘Edge Of Town’ grows from humble beginnings with instruments and layers of sound introduced gradually until it towers over the listener like a lush canopy. As such, there’s a very visual aspect to Hinterland, this isn’t just music that assails your eardrums, rather the music speaks in a way that mere words can’t and will implant strong images in your mind’s eye. In fact, so vivid is this visual aspect that you can almost feel its texture and inhale its earthy aroma.

Held By Trees’ last release (reviewed here) broke with tradition by adding vocals, and while Hinterland largely returns to the instrumental format, it is still characterised by that pioneering spirit. Two of the album tracks clock in at under two minutes, yet they don’t feel truncated in any way and adding anything else would be superfluous. Likewise, the eight-and-a-half minute ‘The Pylon Line’ has grown organically, insidiously entwining itself around the listener so that its elongated running time passes in the blink of an eye. Constantly evolving Held By Trees might be, but there’s plenty here to tether the band to the past, most notably the inclusion of Mark Hollis’ son Charlie who adds piano to four of the tracks.

By honouring the past, Held By Trees are signposting a bright future and Hinterland is the perfect bridge between the two.

• Hinterland is released via Tweed Jacket Music on 4th April 2025 and is available here.
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Track List:

1. Edge Of Town
2. The Boundary
3. Hinterland
4. The Path
5. Between States
6. The Snickett
7. The Pylon Line
8. Boughs And Branches