Artist: Adam Ross
Title: Apogee
Format: digital
Cat#: Fika099SG2
Release date: 6th March 2024
Bandcamp | Spotify
"I am the way I am, I’ve always been this way
I have no choice in this, my dear
You said I’m wrong, you said we always have a choice
You said it’s consequence I fear"
Apogee is the second single from Adam Ross's new album, Littoral Zone. The song is an optimistic evocation of the strength of love, with Adam’s thoughtful lyrics tied up in a sweeping orchestral-indie production (courtesy of Andrew Wasylyk) which brings to mind the likes of Camera Obscura and Belle & Sebastian.
The gorgeous string arrangements were written by Pete Harvey and the song also features guest vocals by Gillian Fleetwood and brass by Rachel Simpson. It was recorded during a series of sessions in Andrew Wasylyk’s Dundee studio and the release is accompanied by a live video featuring an 8-piece ensemble and filmed in Abdie & Dunbog Parish Church in Lindores.
Adam says about the song:
“I wrote Apogee during a pretty special two-month songwriting stay in a former lighthouse keeper’s cottage at Todhead near Catterline a few years ago. My wife would visit at the weekends and then I’d be left on my own throughout the week so this song was for her, really.
“Todhead Lighthouse was where I wrote and recorded half of my first solo album, Staring At Mountains, but Apogee didn’t feel right for that album. I had a couple of different ideas about where to take it but Andrew suggested Camera Obscura as a loose reference point since we knew were going to be lucky enough to work with a string ensemble. When I arrived at the string recording session, this is the song they were playing and it was a really lovely moment for me to walk into the room and hear it all coming together. I love Pete Harvey’s arrangement.”
Apogee is released on 6th March as a digital single. It follows the first single, Free Will, which has received regular radio play on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC 6 Music and Amazing Radio. The album, Littoral Zone, is released by Fika Recordings on 24th May on vinyl, CD and digital which is currently available to pre-order.