SPILL ALBUM PREMIERE: CAICOS – ASCENSION INTENTION

CAICOS – ASCENSION INTENTION

A SPILL EXCLUSIVE ALBUM PREMIERE

This Friday, New York-based indie-pop maestro Caicos (Alex Frenkel’s moniker for his solo project apart from the indie band Gospels) shares his brand new album (and fourth overall) Ascension Intention, via #veryjazzed Records.

Frenkel largely wrote and recorded the material during the peak of the COVID-19 lockdown, gearing the material toward existentialism and growth with reference to the passing of time. In anticipation of the record’s arrival, he shared three singles this summer, each of which demonstrate the depths of his sonic and lyrical world: “A Spade A Spade” (with lyrics about finding tranquility in accepting today’s reality, even if it’s not what you expected), “Bruise Or Blush” (inspired by the impossibility of living up to the greatness of your predecessors), and the previously mentioned “Subsequent Footprint” ft. lojii (which explores how learning things that you never knew about yourself can compel life-altering changes that might be hard to deal with initially but will ultimately leave you at more peace than you were before).

Today, Spill Magazine is proud to share an advanced stream of the full record along with our conversation with Frenkel about the process behind it, key tracks, and more.

How would you best describe Ascension Intention, especially in relation to your previous albums under the Caicos moniker?

Written and recorded while under lockdown at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ascension Intention tries to make sense of the existential questions that we were all asking, centered on finding purpose and inner peace, evaluating priorities, and overcoming both societal and self-imposed pressures. This fourth album under the Caicos moniker also showcases my personal and musical evolution over the years, while weaving in expanded vocals as well as unexpected sounds like Zach Koeber’s saxophone and a verse from rapper lojii.

With this record being largely helmed by just yourself, what lessons did you learn throughout the process of creating it and how did your collaborators contribute to that learning process?

With every album I make, I start the process anew. To me, music is ephemeral, nonlinear, non finite. You forget how you did it the last time, and though some things might be built into your workflow subconsciously, it’s never the same. Working with my collaborators helped me to feel like I was still part of the community, even while recording in solitude. When you find someone you trust creatively, it makes the process and product more dynamic.

Of the tracks on this new LP, which have the most significance to you thematically? Or is it impossible to choose?

There’s not really one song. They all mean a lot to me. I put a lot of effort into each of my albums, crafting the tracklist and song selections which deeply resonate with me to reflect the moment.

What takeaways do you hope listeners gain from listening to this record in a general sense?

This record is a snapshot of life, reflecting the uncertainty and introspection throughout the pandemic. I hope listeners connect to the universality of the themes throughout the songs, as many were going through and thinking about the same things as me.

What’s next for Caicos?

I’m excited to see how people respond to the album. There’s also going to be a remix of “Subsequent Footprint” coming out next month, from my good friend Clay Wilson.

Caicos’ new LP, Ascension Intention, is out tomorrow September 15 via all DSPs. Stay tuned for more from Caicos, coming soon.

Caicos
Ascension Intention
(#veryjazzed Records)
Release Date: September 15, 2023

Ascension Intention Track Listing

1. Continue In Me
2. Bruise or Blush
3. A Spade A Spade
4. Played Out
5. Evolution
6. Subsequent Footprint (feat. lojii)
7. Swallowing Swords
8. Bear The Glare

Artist Links