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The third album of Bahraini band The Relocators is set to drop this weekend, as the band evolves from a relaxed sound to a funkier mix.
The five-track Reasons extended-play (EP) album will be debuted this weekend during a concert at Innovation Themes on November 4, with the digital version dropping the next day on Spotify and Apple Music.
“Funk has always been something we all love and enjoy playing and when it made its advent, it represented an alien or unfamiliar paradigm at the time,” Relocators member Faisal Amin, 35, on vocals and guitar, told GulfWeekly.
“I like to think that being grounded, calm, and at peace is the new alien paradigm in the modern world, which is probably why this is a funk EP – it’s laid-back funk!”
The band is comprised of the core trio – Faisal, Ali Alqaseer, 29, on drums and Jojo Canlas, 43 on bass, and for this album, four guest backing vocalists have lent their voices to the project.
Mixing and co-production has been done by Abdulla Jamal and the cover art was designed by Sarah Redha, better known by her monicker ‘The Monkey Grip’.
The EP starts off with the Reasons single, which has previously been reviewed by GulfWeekly. The song is fun and funky, demonstrating an end-of-the-world scenario without feeling any attachment to the narrative. Maram Abdulaal and Annie Kennaugh provide backing vocals.
The Idler is the second song in the album and is about a superhero who discovers the superpowers of introspection and retrospection, recognising himself as one of the bigger problems in the world and saving the world by removing himself from it.
Annie and Lydia Wapshaka are the backing vocalists on The Idler.
The third song, Sun Goes Down, is a monologue from one’s ego which has convinced the person that they are best friends, showing them darkness, hopelessness, and making you completely invested in that narrative because that is what keeps it alive.
Meanwhile, Give It Up is intentionally vague where there is a generic sense of urgency built up, leaving the listeners to interpret their own reason for the impulsive moment.
The final song Tell Her is a message being delivered to a fictional girl who represents people who can’t find their place in the world because of how they value things differently from the status quo.
While others care about material items and ambition, ‘she values meaningful things and loves the planet but she’s sad and in existential angst.’ Susan Pinto provides backing vocals on Sun Goes Down, Give It Up & Tell Her.
“What’s really different about this album is more often than not, we walked into the studio having absolutely nothing and a lot was improvised on the spot in terms of composition, writing and production,” Faisal added.
“It’s the most unprepared we have been walking into the studio, which was probably what made it a lot of fun!”
Reasons will be released on November 5 digitally, and an album launch performance is slated for November 4 at 8pm. For details, follow
@therelocators on Instagram.
