Arland’s latest single, “Beyond the Open Door,” out now, is about beginnings — for good or bad. What better way to start the New Year than with a song about the uncertainty of what lies ahead?
Much like the previous three releases — “Islands,” “Day Breaks” and “The Day My Dream Comes True” — “Beyond the Open Door” continues Arland’s journey into presenting ethereal, sweeping ballads that border on Broadway rock operas.
There is a narrative thread that Bowers toys with in his music, every single he releases contributing, in some way, to the overarching story he’s attempting to tell. “Beyond the Open Door” — much like the culture-permeating act one finale from this year’s movie-musical “Wicked” — builds to a head, structurally and narratively, opening the storyline up for act two.
In Arland’s case, act two is the debut album, “Catalyst,” which will drop sometime this year. The album is fully tracked, with only the strings left to record.
Bowers often references the Arland tracks in terms of how they hermetically and chronologically fit into his band’s catalog. Story is the essence behind Arland. Bowers attributes that to his love of plays and musicals, which started in 2014 in New York City, during the second season of “Wicked.” He’s also informed by bands like Falling Up, which tell stories across multiple albums.
In the first moment of “Beyond the Open Door,” a reverb-laden 12-string riff rings out. A subtle kick drum then quivers like a palpitating heart. Over top, Bowers sings: “I walked away from everything I had / I waved goodbye and cast it in the sea.”
What he’s referring to here is not explicit. It could be about love, religion, politics or all of the above, but Bowers won’t tip his hand, even if listeners guess correctly. He’ll just smile, and say that they will have to figure out what the song means to them.
Originally, the single was slated for release on Jan. 20 to coincide with a certain inauguration. For Bowers, the timing reflected the song’s deeper themes.
“It’s the idea that you’re in this place and there are two paths before you,” Bowers said. “You choose one of them, and that has tremendous downstream consequences.”
Consider his hand tipped.
Even before the first album drops, Bowers is already looking ahead to other pieces of the story he’s building. Though “Beyond the Open Door” won’t be on the album, it is a crucial part of the arc he’s meticulously weaving.
“Beyond the Open Door” was recorded and produced in Nashville by Jackson Badgley, who played most of the instruments, with Griffin Raco on ukulele. Bowers made the trip to the studio to record his vocals for this single, as well as another track not yet released. As Bowers put it, “it’s not time for that to be revealed yet, narratively speaking.”
There’s more ahead for Arland. For Bowers, there’s always something more beyond the open door.
Brandon Berry writes about the Dayton and Southwest Ohio music and art scene. Have a story idea for him? Email branberry100@gmail.com.
More info: Arland’s latest single “Beyond the Open Door” can be found on all digital streaming platforms.
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