Genre-defying collective Butcher Brown returns with their new album Letters From The Atlantic, released via Concord Jazz. Arriving with the final pre-release single “Unwind” featuring Melanie Charles, the album draws from an eclectic sonic palette: jazz, funk, R&B, bossa nova, rock, and more. It’s a vibrant, exploratory record that journeys from the American East Coast to Europe, layered with warmth, chemistry, and a deep sense of place.
Previous singles like “Dinorah Dinorah,” “Ibiza,” and “Montrose Forest” hinted at the record’s wide-ranging influences, but “Unwind” reveals the band at their most free and spontaneous. It’s a lush, almost-improvised studio creation that leans into acid jazz, drum & bass, and house, with Charles delivering a magnetic performance on vocals and flute. “Her ear is crazy,” the band shared. “She knew exactly what to do with the track and just exploded all over it.”
Fans can now listen to “Unwind” and view the visualizer online, along with pre-ordering or pre-saving Letters From The Atlantic.
A follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2023 project Solar Music, this new record feels more grounded and fluid—an audio postcard from Butcher Brown’s travels and inspirations. “We want this album to feel like a trip,” they explain. “It captures our nostalgia for Virginia, the East Coast, and Europe. Each track represents a different place, a different vibe.”
The album’s opening track “Seagulls” evokes peaceful coastal energy from Virginia Beach, while “Unwind” channels downtown New York cool, straight from Avenue C on the Lower East Side. “Something New About You” featuring Neal Francis leans into a breezy yacht rock vibe, reminiscent of sunsets in the Florida Keys. “Hold You” travels across the Atlantic, evoking the tranquil feeling of a train ride through Europe. The record closes with “Infant Eyes,” a beautiful instrumental tribute to Wayne Shorter, a hero and guiding light for the band.
Throughout the album, Butcher Brown collaborates with an impressive range of vocalists and instrumentalists—especially women artists—who bring rich texture and perspective to the work. Vocalists Yaya Bey, Melanie Charles, Leanor Wolf, Mia Gladstone, and Victoria Victoria all lend their voices. “We’re fans of all of them,” says the band. “They brought harmony, chemistry, and real energy to the sessions.”
One especially memorable collaboration came with Yaya Bey, who joined the band in Richmond for an in-person session that blossomed into the laid-back, soulful track “I Remember.” “We chopped it up for hours before even recording,” the band recalls. “It felt like family. That’s why we prioritize in-person sessions—if the vibe is right, everything else follows.”
Letters From The Atlantic was recorded at Spacebomb Studios in Richmond, VA with Alex De Jong at the helm. Sessions took place over the summer, and the group leaned deep into their love of electronic genres like house, disco, drum & bass, trip hop, and acid jazz—flavors that fuse effortlessly with their jazz and funk foundations. Compared to the more angular energy of Solar Music, this album feels smoother, more intentional, and emotionally resonant.
“Our sound’s evolving,” says drummer Corey Fonville. “This record has more nuance—it’s about letting things breathe, trusting the moment, and making music that reflects where we are now.” Bassist Andrew Randazzo adds, “We wanted to make something that feels like it floats—something immersive.”
That fluidity and grounded self-awareness come through across every track. “Whatever happens with this band,” says keyboardist DJ Harrison, “it won’t be forced. We make the music we want to make. Whatever happens outside of that—it’s all built on honesty and vibe.”
Butcher Brown’s music continues to resonate across genres, generations, and geographies. With praise from NPR, The New York Times, Bandcamp, The FADER, and more, the group has built a loyal following while remaining creatively fearless. Their Tiny Desk performance was lauded as “hot and funky from the count-in,” while The Washington Post calls them “respected across the genre spectrum.”
Letters From The Atlantic is an invitation to journey with Butcher Brown—not just across the map, but through sound, memory, and meaning.
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