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Of the New Day

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Of the New Day"
Single by Porcupine Tree
from the album Closure/Continuation
Released8 March 2022
Recorded2011–September 2021
Length4:43
LabelMusic for Nations
Songwriter(s)Steven Wilson
Producer(s)
Porcupine Tree singles chronology
"Harridan"
(2021)
"Of the New Day"
(2022)
"Herd Culling"
(2022)

"Of the New Day" is a song by British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, released on 8 March 2022 as the second single in promotion of the band's eleventh studio album Closure/Continuation. The track was released alongside a music video.[1][2][3][4]

Background and composition

[edit]

According to front-man Steven Wilson, "Of the New Day is a song of rebirth, emerging from the darkness", further elaborating by stating how It sounds deceptively simple, a recognisably atypical Porcupine Tree ballad. That is until you realise that the length of the bars is constantly changing, flipping between bars of regular 4
4
time to 3
4
, to 5
4
to 6
4
, 11
4
, so that the track never settles into any steady time."[5][1]

Wilson also noted how the track is something the band could do very well, stating how the band could come up with "a basic idea that’s almost intellectual or mathematical".[5][6]

Reception

[edit]

In a review of Closure/Continuation, David Rodriguez of Everything is Noise enjoyed the track, calling it a calm, ballad-esque track. They had also noted the gimmick of constantly changing time signatures, saying it's fitting given the topic of change, evolution, and rebirth.[7] Another review of the record by Thom Jurek of AllMusic enjoyed the track, stating that the track asserted itself as a "spacious ballad" that spirals into "angular prog", "blurring time signatures", and harmonics before "returning to the lithe, keyboard-centric melody".[8]

Emma Johnston of Classic Rock described the track as a "psychedelic swirl" that gives way to the next track, "Rat's Return".[9] Another positive review of the track by Steview Chuck of The Guardian noted that "despite the budding sophistication of his solo work, the Wilson of Porcupine Tree remains a better musician than lyricist, but there’s a sense of chiaroscuro at play within the sensitive chord changes of Of the New Day that assures us he is no mere technical genius, and that a heart beats beneath Closure/Continuation’s flash and flair."[10]

Brad Sanders of Pitchfork described the track as a strangely paranoid sounding ballad in a similar-vein to earlier tracks such as "Lazarus" and "My Ashes".[11] Brice Ezell of PopMatters praised the track. They called the track a gorgeous tune that justifies the band's reunion on its own, also interpreting the track's lyrics as about the "now tenuous time for Porcupine Tree".[12]

Personnel

[edit]

Personnel per album liner notes[13] Porcupine Tree

Production

  • Ian Anderson of The Designers Republic – art direction, image editor, photography, graphic design, creative director
  • Paul Stacey – additional guitar recording
  • Ed Scull – additional guitar recording engineering
  • Penny Morgan, Peter Rudge, Pro Music Management – management

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Porcupine Tree release video for 'Of The New Day' – Arrow Lords of Metal". Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  2. ^ "North/South America shows for 2022 + New song 'Of The New Day' out now". Porcupine Tree. 2022-03-08. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  3. ^ Kennelty, Greg (2022-03-08). "PORCUPINE TREE Streams "Of The New Day," Announces North & South American Tour Dates". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  4. ^ Porcupine Tree - Of the New Day (Official Lyric Video), retrieved 2023-11-16
  5. ^ a b updated, Jerry Ewinglast (2022-03-08). "Porcupine Tree release video for Of The New Day and announce US tour dates". louder. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  6. ^ "Porcupine Tree drop "Of the New Day" amid announcement of North and South American tour | Metal Insider". metalinsider.net. 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  7. ^ Rodriguez, David (2022-06-23). "Porcupine Tree - "CLOSURE / CONTINUATION"". Everything Is Noise. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  8. ^ Porcupine Tree - Closure/Continuation Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2023-11-16
  9. ^ Johnstonpublished, Emma (2022-06-24). "Porcupine Tree's gorgeous comeback album is an elegant and accomplished treasure". louder. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  10. ^ Chick, Stevie (2022-06-24). "Porcupine Tree: Closure/ Continuation review – reunited prog-rockers remain emotionally detached". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  11. ^ "Porcupine Tree: Closure / Continuation". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  12. ^ "Porcupine Tree: Closure/Continuation (Album Review)". PopMatters. 2022-06-21. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  13. ^ "Porcupine Tree - Closure / Continuation". Discogs. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-15.