1975 video

[Guillaume]

Here's the beautiful video for one of the most beautiful songs on SURROUNDED:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgIVxvVzc2w&ab_channel=newmodelarmyofficial

I think that it's my favourite song on this album with "Sea again", 'Surrounded" and "Sao Paulo".
And it evokes so well, both the song and the video, the moods of the 70's in the States...wonderful.

[fiddlesticks]

Just seen this. Very atmospheric. Still taking in the new album. My oldest boy also called out Sao Paulo as a favourite.

[Tarsier]

Atmospheric indeed... Like the previous ones from this album.

Guillaume, yes, Sea Again is definitely also one of my favourites! The video for that is wonderful And it was The First Song that I had to listen to when I returned home from a death metal festival last Sunday

[Henning]

One of my favourite tracks as well. A bit of (perhaps) interesting background is that Toby delivered his cello parts absolutely independently from my stuff. Still it sounds so cohesive as if we actually wrote it together. I basically had only demos with Justin's vocals and guitars but not much else when I composed and recorded my ideas. So there were so many cool surprises when I listened to the final mixes with all the other musical contributions. Justin and Lee put this all together so amazingly coherent it's really amazing. And damn I know how much effort they put into this album!

[Johnz]

One of my favourite tracks as well. A bit of (perhaps) interesting background is that Toby delivered his cello parts absolutely independently from my stuff. Still it sounds so cohesive as if we actually wrote it together. I basically had only demos with Justin's vocals and guitars but not much else when I composed and recorded my ideas. So there were so many cool surprises when I listened to the final mixes with all the other musical contributions. Justin and Lee put this all together so amazingly coherent it's really amazing. And damn I know how much effort they put into this album!

Thanks for your insights! Really interesting. I love the album. There is a lot to be discovered and I'm a bit disappointed that some people consider it boring or too simple. It's far from simple. Then again, NBTS was also greeted with some skepticism when it was released and it's good to see that most people have eventually come to see it for the masterpiece that it is.

[fiddlesticks]

One of my favourite tracks as well. A bit of (perhaps) interesting background is that Toby delivered his cello parts absolutely independently from my stuff. Still it sounds so cohesive as if we actually wrote it together. I basically had only demos with Justin's vocals and guitars but not much else when I composed and recorded my ideas. So there were so many cool surprises when I listened to the final mixes with all the other musical contributions. Justin and Lee put this all together so amazingly coherent it's really amazing. And damn I know how much effort they put into this album!

Thanks for this. You've all done a fantastic job on this record.

[Guillaume]

I'm a bit disappointed that some people consider it boring or too simple. It's far from simple.

That's true, i'm a a bit disappointed  because less than 5000 video views for "Sea again" and 2000 views only for "1975" on Youtube aren't enough for my liking ha ha... and especially i'm a bit disappointed of the relative lack of media coverage for the SURROUNDED album...even more when you think that the last NMA albums since BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF did so well in the German and English charts. But i guess that it is the "price" to pay when you are an independant, alternative artist working in intimate, mature, melancholy low key stripped down "folk" music..   

Then again, NBTS was also greeted with some skepticism when it was released and it's good to see that most people have eventually come to see it for the masterpiece that it is.

Skepticism really?
I remember that people either didn't listen to this album because they weren't aware of its release or the ones who listened to it, they all liked loved praised it...the reviews i've read about it in 2003 and after were quite spectacular! That's in part the reason why it was re-released in 2021.  in a dream, fairy tale world i would love that Justin's solo albums would be as famous/popular/listened/cherished as the NMA ones, but...

Anyways, whatever, when all will be said and done (the later the better, of course!), i think that  both NBTS and SURROUNDED will rank among the top, aven they will be probably The Top of Justin's musical career.

[Johnz]

Then again, NBTS was also greeted with some skepticism when it was released and it's good to see that most people have eventually come to see it for the masterpiece that it is.

Skepticism really?
I remember that people either didn't listen to this album because they weren't aware of its release or the ones who listened to it, they all liked loved praised it...the reviews i've read about it in 2003 and after were quite spectacular! That's in part the reason why it was re-released in 2021.  in a dream, fairy tale world i would love that Justin's solo albums would be as famous/popular/listened/cherished as the NMA ones, but...

Anyways, whatever, when all will be said and done (the later the better, of course!), i think that  both NBTS and SURROUNDED will rank among the top, aven they will be probably The Top of Justin's musical career.

NBTS got great reviews but many people thought it was boring. A lot of people prefer NMA's rocky side and don't care much for the quieter, introspective songs or albums. Someone Like Jesus was voted one of the least liked songs not that long ago. It's one of my favourites. But we all like different things and that's ok. I really enjoy the different sides of Justin's music. They complement each other nicely. And I agree that Surrounded will stand the test of time and I'm sure more people will warm to it.

[Guillaume]

NBTS got great reviews but many people thought it was boring. A lot of people prefer NMA's rocky side and don't care much for the quieter, introspective songs or albums.

Yes, you're right. Many NMA fans love mostly (only?) the angry/tough side of the band and have less interest for the quieter acoustic tracks...i'm a bit on the opposite, of course i love many catchy rock tracks of the band but Justin is in my opinion at his most moving, intimate, "true", "naked" on NBTS and SURROUNDED, and on the folk side of NMA. I admit that i like when artists are stripped down, only their voice and an acoustic guitar to express their ideas and feelings. I'm still amazed that many/most of the NMA fans don't embrace warmly both NBTS and SURROUNDED especially if they like the NMA ballads, but like you write if you are more a rock/hard rock lover, it's logical you can't really be touched/involved by these folk acoustic albums.

Someone Like Jesus was voted one of the least liked songs not that long ago. It's one of my favourites.

I agree with you, it's one of Justin's/NMA best song ever...the mood and lyrics of this song, wow!!!
Justin himself said he was very proud of this song, one of his most elaborated according to his words, if my memories are right.