On This Blue Earth, The Shipbuilders deliver an album that is expansive in imagination and grounded in real-world grit. It’s a confident step forward from their 2022 debut, The Spring Tide, thanks in large part to a broadened lineup, sharpened songwriting, and a willingness to lean into the eccentric.
From the opening pulse of “95 Miles” to the cinematic close of “Heavy Is The Weight,” the record feels like a journal written in ink and saltwater. It’s wry, worn, and steeped in character. Trumpeter Pistol Pete Higham, now a permanent addition to the band, makes a defining mark throughout. His contributions, especially on “Daydreaming” give the tracks a flare that recalls both seafaring tradition and late-night brass bands.
Vocalist Matty Loughlin-Day says,
Pete’s trumpet line changed everything.
And it shows. The band isn’t shy about drawing from their literary shelves. “Hills Of Mexico,” inspired by For Whom the Bell Tolls, leans into drama with guitar flourishes worthy of a Western standoff. Matty says
I wanted to capture the sense of drama, adrenaline and anticipation that comes across in the text.
The result is a track that bristles with restless energy. “La Dolce Vita” offers a rare moment of serenity with its strings and sweeping instrumentation backing a song that explores an unconditional and hard to define love. It’s a quiet standout in an otherwise foot stomping album.
What makes This Blue Earth good isn’t just the blend of folk-rock, brass, and storytelling but its unity. Every member is locked in, every track feels purposeful, and the album never drifts. It’s a record shaped by books, bars, friendships, and time well spent. And it earns one’s attention by doing the work, not demanding it.
