On Jan. 23, Searows released his sophomore album, “Death in the Business of Whaling”. Searows is the musical project of Oregon-based singer-songwriter and producer, Alec Duckart. Following the release of his self-made album “Guard Dog”, Searows has released a variety of singles and EPs, drawing attention from artists such as Ethel Cain and Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins along with fans of Phoebe Bridgers, who his unique sound is often compared to.
The first track on the album, “Belly of the Whale” sets the scene for the “Moby Dick” inspired atmosphere that the rest of the album explores. Introducing themes of danger, isolation, and mortality such as those feelings one might experience while being lost at sea. This opening track draws the listener in for a sonically unique experience.
“Kill What You Eat” comes next and further explores these concepts while sounding most like the artist’s stripped-down debut album “Guard Dog”. Full of lyrics alluding to previously released songs, this track feels like a love letter to fans who have been there since the beginning.
Searows is known for his melancholic sound, but “Photograph of a Cyclone” jumps out of that norm with a strong banjo and steady beat that makes the listener want to get up and dance. He sticks to his haunting vocalizations, and poetic lyricism while further exploring his sound. This song makes his access to collaborative producers evident.
My personal favorite track, “Hunter” was first performed on his previous 2024 tour and was teased ever since. When I saw it on the track list, I knew that listeners were in for a treat and he did not disappoint. The production sounds exactly like the live version, and the lyrics are just as captivating.
Another song teased years in advance was “Dirt”, the final single to be released before the album. It is a classic lyrical and simple Searows song that once again sounds like it came right from his debut album but got a little extra love in the studio.
“Dearly Missed” was the first single to be released and gave a strong look at what was to come lyrically and sonically from this album. The production on this one was a pleasant surprise to fans who were used to his simpler produced songs. It has a heavy and melancholic sound that alludes to the overall feeling of the album.
During the 2024 tour, Searows also introduced a song called “Junie” that many fans found themselves relating to. This is perhaps one of his most vulnerable songs as it is so deeply personal. This is what makes it so beautiful. The rawness and honesty of his words accompanied by atmospheric guitar and building into a strong bridge captures the intense emotion of making a difficult decision to better your own life.
The night before the album’s release, “In Violet” was released. This song features a very optimistic sound which sits nicely toward the end of the album. It feels reflective towards the melancholy explored in the rest of the songs.
The closing track “Geese” is a direct nod to the beloved Mary Oliver poem “Wild Geese” which highlights the vast range of literary knowledge that Searows has. This further showcases where his writing inspiration comes from, and this particular song closes the album with the optimistic idea that the melancholic feeling of isolation doesn’t have to be felt forever.
Another notable aspect of this album and all other projects created by Searows, is his attention to detail on all fronts including the visuals. Creating high quality videos and artwork to accompany this album, such as the handmade cover art, he creates both a strong visually and sonically appealing universe for the listeners.
Upon the release of this album, Searows has already started to gain a larger following and has even been featured on a billboard in Times Square, a large accomplishment for a completely self-made artist. He begins his US tour in April and has already started making the rounds to various record stores promoting his album. This is just the beginning of what seems to be a long and promising career for the multi-talented artist.
Nora Lee is a Dakota Student Section Editor. She can be reached at [email protected].