Song of the Day: “Albatross” by Thrice

Nov 10, 2025

Thrice’s Horizons/West serves as a compelling companion to its predecessor, but musically, it’s a more rugged and dynamically complex offering that underscores the band’s continued evolution. Where earlier albums relied on speed or aggressive riffing, this record favors atmosphere, patience, and deliberate texture. Tracks like the pummeling “Gnash” and the atmospheric “Blackout” exemplify this duality, contrasting moments of sparse, almost post-rock-leaning soundscapes with explosive, heaviness. It’s not as overtly “progressive” as offerings from bands like Leprous and Haken, but Thrice is definitely leaning in that direction with Horizons/West.

The album’s strongest moment, “Albatross,” succeeds by synthesizing the best elements of the modern Thrice sound. Its immediate drive is built on Eddie Breckenridge’s churning bass groove, which acts as the foundation for the entire track, harkening back to the foundational heft of their Beggars and Major/Minor eras. What elevates “Albatross” is its effective use of dynamics and structure: the verses maintain a driving intensity through the bass line and tight drumming, but the arrangement smartly holds back the full force of the guitars until the anthemic chorus. This push-and-pull creates a satisfying release of tension, maximizing the impact of the melody. Furthermore, the bridge section is a great example of instrumental layering, where the band introduces a subtle complexity—throwing in a brief shift into alternating 6/8 and 9/8 time—before returning for a final chorus. This blend of accessibility, dynamics, and raw performance makes “Albatross” the album’s most complete and resonant piece of songwriting on the record.

Go ahead… try not to sing along with the chorus… I dare you!