Following the passing last week of founding member Peter Archer, esteemed Sydney band Crow today announce the release date for their first album in over 15 years, Hold Sway. The announcement has been accompanied by the release the album’s second single, “Skyline”, which was written and sung by Archer.

The announcement is of course a bittersweet moment for the band, but it was Peter’s wish that things proceed as planned. The new single “Skyline”, which was written and sung by Peter, is particularly poignant. Drummer Andy Marks recounts: “The track glimmers with sun-drenched guitar, refracted by soaring vocals. Here is a version of what the song is about, as told to me by Archie over a beer during our recent Melb trip. Feeling lucky I asked him about it. It’s a beautiful story.”

“Skyline is a recollection of a casual job. Days were spent deep in the bush, marking trees for removal. The protagonist is happily disconnected from technology, yet creating waypoints that will eventually carve corridors for power-lines.

Skyline revels in being disconnected from unyielding change. Instead, it embraces millennial shifts that “glide” in their “easy… own time”.

Lyrics

Climb to the fire tower
For reception always try and make it once a day
There’s a ladder heading skywards, to that glorious dome
And my brother got a story but he won’t turn on the phone

Well there musta been a reason I’m there
Well it musta been your message mountain-relayed ‘fore it fell in my hand

Drive to the Skyline
Along the road that lays the border like a brown snake in the sun
There’s a hardwood forest endless as if whitey never came
And the blackened, hollow messmate still proud despite the flame

Well there musta been a reason I’m there
Well it musta been your message mountain-relayed ‘fore it fell in my hand

Today this week I climbed a mountain side
It’s all within my reach like a deputy pri…

Glide in yr own time
On the thermals swirling upwards from that valley floor
There’s a certain sense of envy ⁄ at your easy display
And the aeronauts are guessing that they all gon’ give it away

Well there musta been a reason I’m there
Well it musta been your message mountain-relayed ‘fore it fell in my hand