In Hearts Wake Announce Surprise New Album, 'Skydancer'

Byron Bay five-piece heavyweights In Hearts Wake enjoyed a wildly successful stretch last year following the release of their acclaimed full-length Earthwalker, but the band aren't yet done impressing the hell out of people, unexpectedly announcing this morning the impending arrival of their next studio album — and Earthwalker companion piece — Skydancer this May.

The album will drop on Friday, May 1, via UNFD, which should come as exciting news to those fans who have been excitedly following the development of the #skydancer hashtag over on Twitter, where recent speculation — fuelled by cryptic hints and prods from the IHW boys — was mostly levelled at the idea that Skydancer would simply be a re-recording or remastering of the title track, which was previously released in 2013 as a standalone single.

However, those who have been paying extra-close attention might have had an inkling something like this was in the works; after all, the band actually recorded this album during the same sessions in which Earthwalker was completed, with Skywalker due for release 364 days exactly after its predecessor. In fact, only the most eagle-eyed of fans apparently cottoned on to a clue smuggled into Earthwalker by way of a hidden booklet that boasted the lyrics to this new album's first single, Breakaway, as well as a short poem alluding to the dual nature of the spiritual themes at the album's core.

"I'd been searching for a concept that could explain the relationship between the masculine and feminine worlds and how we needed to be at peace with both in order to be whole," frontman Jake Taylor said in a statement. "Many indigenous cultures believed that the human body was a bridge between Mother Earth and Father Sky. One could not exist without the other, and therefore everything was one. To me, the essence of these two divine energies could be seen even within my own parents, and I felt like I was the product of both."

The reworked single Skydancer was recorded with guest vocals from The Ghost Inside's Jonathan Vigil, with the wider album including featured players such as new Northlane vocalist Marcus Bridge and Hacktivist's J Hurley and Ben Marvin, and marks but a taste of what awaits In Hearts Wake fans with this album.

For a touch of extra warm-and-fuzziness, it bears mentioning that Skydancer also marks the beginning of a collaboration for In Hearts Wake with non-profit organisation Local Futures, which dedicates itself to protecting and renewing our social and ecological well-being through myriad initiatives.

Breakaway will make its radio debut this afternoon at 4pm (AEDT) on triple j, with Taylor lined up to talk about the album on that evening's episode of Short. Fast. Loud.. Keep your eyes peeled over at the band's Skydancer home page for the title track - it goes live at 9am (AEDT) tomorrow.

In the interim, enjoy the gorgeous art work and full track list below.