As reported, Buffalo-based quartet Aqueous will issue a new concept album entitled Color Wheel on October 12. The band’s announcement of the long-awaited follow-up to 2014’sCycles included word the group would share tracks from the album in waves ahead of the release. Color Wheel’s first wave includes the three tracks that open the LP and is now available for streaming.
Buffalo Rising premiered the first wave of Color Wheel tracks along with statements from Aqueous on each song. Here’s what the band had to say about “Second Sight,” “How High You Fly” and “Realize Your Light”:
“Second Sight”
“‘Second Sight’ deals with the concept of doing everything one can to put aside petty differences and looking for those linings of hope and connection that every human inherently shares, despite living in such divided times. It’s also about appreciating and feeling grateful just to be alive and using that level of gratitude to try to shed cynicism; it’s about connecting with people and recognizing each of our roles in the division and working towards bridging those gaps where possible.”
“How High You Fly”
‘How High You Fly’ is a tribute to a friend we lost to the grips of addiction. The song, lyrically and musically (re-worked entirely for Color Wheel), represents the concept of this person, after passing away, finally being free of their worldly struggle and suffering from addiction; how they could somehow “start again” unshackled by that experience. It goes on to conceptualize that they could, in some way, even connect with other people they knew in life that also passed, but ultimately recognizes that this thought might simply be a comfort to those still here, dealing with the loss themselves.”
“Realize Your Light”
“‘Realize Your Light’ is a hopeful message of positivity that life is far too short to not live it to the fullest potential, and that if one can recognize their purpose, they could likely achieve anything. It considers the idea that regardless of one’s circumstance, where they have been, and where they are going, that somewhere in the struggle, there’s a path and a calling out there for each person.”
Listen to all three tracks below:
Two additional waves are expected in the weeks to come. Color Wheel is available for pre-order on vinyl via Bandcamp. Aqueous will celebrate guitarist Mike Gantzer’s birthday by organizing a river cleanup initative set for Saturday, September 15. The quartet in partnership with Buffalo Niagra Riverkeeper are asking fans who want to participate in the “Give BAQ” River Cleanup to meetup in Buffalo’s Cazenovia Park at 10 a.m. next Saturday.
