The Royal Arctic Institute - "New South Wales"

Hoboken, New Jersey-based quintet The Royal Arctic Institute are about to release the digital version of their amalgamated third full-length, From Catnap To Coma To Catarsis. The record, which was released physically on vinyl back in August, combines their 2022 EP, From Catnap To Coma, and their 2023 EP, From Coma To Catharsis. The digital version drops tomorrow and contains a special bonus track called “New South Wales.” We’re excited to premiere the song a day early on Look At My Records!

Though From Catnap To Coma and From Coma To Catharsis were released as two distinct entities, their combination feels fluid and natural. Whether listening on wax or digitally, the smooth transition from “Anosmia Suite,” the final track on From Catnap To Coma,  to “K-Style Circuit,” the first track on From Coma To Catharsis, feels like an uninterrupted fever dream complete with cinematic, twinkling guitars and a lulling rhythm section. The merger of the two EPs is certainly a grand union. 

The bonus tune, “New South Wales,” feels therapeutic in the way it soothingly unravels. After liftoff, the band takes listeners on a tranquilizing sojourn through a dense sonic forest of sound. Guitarist John Leon drew inspiration from despair: 

The song just came to me and happened within an afternoon. I was in a very bad place emotionally. Very sad at the time. When I finished it I felt a little better for a little while. The title is based on that one of my favorite bands, the Church, are from there. I was listening to them a lot around that time.

The band also shared a video for the track, which interposes live footage with a nature-driven montage complete with forests, foliage, and other natural wonders. Dave Rygaliski, who created the video, shared the following on his inspiration:

I’ve been putting videos together for TRAI since their first. I come from a comedy background and sometimes go overboard and Lyle will gently pull me back. The video for New South Wales is the first one that they had captured a full live performance on video with the full band in the shot and I got a travel/exploratory vibe from the song and went with that theme.

Stream the video below!

You can purchase From Catnap To Coma To Catharsis on vinyl via Already Dead Tapes. You can also purchase their entire discography via Bandcamp. Their music is available on all streaming platforms. Keep up with the band by following them on Instagram and liking them on Facebook.

The Royal Arctic Institute will be playing a series of regional dates over the next month, including a show at WFMU’s Monty Hall on Thursday, November 16th. Suss, Kendraplex, and Seawind of Battery are also on the bill. A full list of dates can be found below.