Vermont’s musical torch continues to pass from one strong act to another — and now, it’s being carried by Brattleboro’s own Thus Love. The band, who first hit the scene two years ago with their full-length debut Memorial, shared “Birthday Song” on Wednesday (August 7). It’s the first look into their sophomore effort, All Pleasure, due November 1 on Captured Tracks.
Vocalist Echo Mars shines on the track, their slicked-smooth voice opening with one of life’s biggest questions: “Do you believe in love?” But this isn’t a standard romantic love song — it’s an ode to friendship. Mars sings of all the ways love manifests in life, good and bad alike, while behind them coarse guitar balances it all out texturally.
“‘Birthday Song’ is a simple song about friendship and how we sometimes don’t give those kinds of platonic relationships the respect and care they need to thrive,” Mars says. “We don’t have the same language that we do for romantic partnerships but I think those relationships are every bit as important in making us feel safe, secure and validated. When it came time to select the first single, ‘Birthday Song’ felt like the perfect way to introduce the new version of Thus Love.”
Accompanying the single, Thus Love shared a music video directed by Augie Voss and Benni Shumlin, starring the band alongside Stella the owl, who proves to be the guest of honor at a farmland dinner party.
Check it out below.