The Cinematic Orchestra

The Cinematic Orchestra Return with “To Believe” ft. Moses Sumney

The wait for new material from The Cinematic Orchestra has been a long one, with their last studio album releasing in 2007. However, the British outfit have unveiled a the first single from their much anticipated new material. To Believe is yet another stunningly beautiful track from TCO, and features vocals by Moses Sumney.

The song’s inspiration is based on “the prerequisite of everything in life is belief”, hence the weight title. Produced by TCO founder Jason Swinscoe and longtime collaborator Dom Smith, the description of To Believe as “poised” is palpably true. A slow moving, thoughtful and thought provoking track, it builds in both instrumentation and emotion. Growing out of a simple acoustic guitar, the melodies underlying Sumney’s vocals expand into piano lines and orchestral strings, balancing on TCO’s unique tightrope that blends electronica, experimental music and theatrical score.

Sumney’s vocals drift along on an aching falsetto. Both contemporary and choral, it’s a tone that echoes heavyweight talents like James Blake or Sufjan Stevens. There is something of the hymnal in To Believe’s gentle melodies, which is only enhanced by the layered vocals from Sumney. Yet somehow, the song goes out on shimmering strings which feel like magic winding down, or the end of a dream, in an old time movie.

The collaboration with LA based Sumney is timely after he was name as one to watch by both press and industry names like Beck, James Blake and Solange. To Believe is the first taste of the TCO’s long-awaited album, which we are assured is coming soon, although we are yet to hear a name or a release date. However, tour dates have been announced for Europe, which will see TCO joined by Thundercat, Gilles Peterson, Jameszoo and others.

You can listen to To Believe below.

Moses Sumney will be touring Australia in January, including performances at MONA FOMA and Sydney Festival.

Image: B+