Volcano (Temples album)

Following the release of their debut album Sun Structures (2014), Temples toured extensively, and by 2015 they began writing new material. The band's guitarist and primary songwriter James Bagshaw set up a home studio in Kettering, where he produced the album himself, a departure from the debut which was co-produced with Claudius Mittendorfer. The recording process was more experimental, with Bagshaw using vintage synthesizers and tape machines to achieve a warmer, more electronic sound. In interviews, the band cited influences such as the Bee Gees, the Bee Gees' Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, and Italian disco music, as well as the usual 1960s psychedelic touchstones.

Volcano is characterized by its fusion of psychedelic rock with synth-pop and disco rhythms, a shift from the guitar-driven sound of the debut. The album opens with "Certainty," a track that sets the tone with its driving bassline and layered harmonies. Songs like "I'll Be Your Mirror" and "Strange or Be Forgotten" showcase the band's use of analog synthesizers and catchy hooks. Lyrically, the album explores themes of love, identity, and existentialism, often wrapped in cryptic, poetic imagery. Bagshaw's production emphasizes clarity and warmth, with each instrument given space in the mix.

Volcano was released on 3 March 2017 on Fat Possum Records. It received generally favorable reviews; Metacritic aggregated a score of 75 out of 100 based on 20 critic reviews. NME praised the album's "glossy, cosmic pop," while Pitchfork noted that the band had "sharpened their songwriting" while retaining their retro-futurist aesthetic. The album peaked at number 21 on the UK Albums Chart, and also charted in several other countries, including the US Billboard 200 where it reached number 193. The band supported the album with a world tour, including appearances at major festivals such as Coachella and Glastonbury.

One of the lesser-known aspects of Volcano is that the album's artwork was created by the artist and designer Julian House, known for his work with Broadcast and Ghost Box Records. The cover features a surreal, volcanic landscape that reflects the album's title and themes. Additionally, the album's track "Born into the Sunset" was originally written during the Sun Structures sessions but was reworked for this album. The band also released a series of short films for each track, directed by Bagshaw himself, which were screened at select cinemas. Furthermore, the album's recording process involved the use of a vintage Roland RE-201 Space Echo tape delay, which contributed to the album's distinctive echo-laden sound. The band also experimented with recording in unconventional spaces, such as a stairwell, to achieve natural reverb.¹

All tracks written by James Bagshaw and Thomas Walmsley unless noted.

Fat Possum Records

Independent record label based in Oxford, Mississippi, that released Volcano.

Psychedelic rock

A music genre inspired by psychedelia, often featuring surreal lyrics and experimental sounds.

Synth-pop

A music genre that primarily uses synthesizers, drum machines, and electronic sounds.

Metacritic

A website that aggregates reviews of music, films, and games, assigning a weighted average score.