"Golden Silence" is the second full album by the American indie pop band the Narrative. It was released on December 2, 2016. Bryan Russell and Justin Long produced the album at Red Wire Audio in New York. The first single from the album, "Chasing a Feeling," was released on June 3, 2014. A promotional single called "Moving Out" came out on January 12, 2016. Another promotional single, "Toe the Line," was released on January 27, 2016. Before the album's release, the band shared "California Sun" on October 28, 2016. They then released "Oklahoma Air" on November 9, 2016, and "Reason to Leave" on November 21, 2016.

Background and recording

The band's new music will be different from their previous work. They still include many elements that fans enjoy, but they also tried new methods in many areas. In terms of music production, they chose a different approach. Whether this change is positive or negative, the band has changed how they write and record music overall.

On July 27, 2010, the band released their self-titled studio album, The Narrative. After its release, they began a national tour to promote the album. In 2011, the band performed at the Vans Warped Tour festival in July and later at the CMJ Music Marathon at the end of the year. In 2012, the band told AbsolutePunk that they had started writing their second studio album. Recording began on March 26, 2012. This time, the band chose to record the album in a private studio, unlike their previous method. Most of the music, including instrumentals, vocals, and sound effects, was recorded over one month at an English cathedral barn built in 1900 in Hunter, Upstate New York. Recording at the barn finished in April 2012, after which the band went to Red Wire Audio in Brooklyn to complete the album. Bryan Russell, who produced the band’s previous albums, and Justin Long co-produced the album. The band also worked with Richard Flack, a music producer and mixer who has previously worked with Florence and the Machine and Robbie Williams. Since the band did not have a drummer, their friend Jay Scalchunes and Ari Sadowitz, who recorded the bass, helped them. The band originally planned to release the album in mid-2012, but the release date was delayed because of the time needed to complete the project. On June 3, 2014, the band announced the first single from the album, titled "Chasing a Feeling," through their official website. During this time, Zeldin toured with the Americana band Twin Forks, while Gabriel recorded a solo album with Russell. This project was announced on February 15, 2014, through the band’s Facebook account, and Gabriel released the album Here, Sit, Stay digitally on October 12, 2014.

The album’s production finished in April 2016. The band’s website stated that the album took longer to complete because of the recording of different instruments and more complex arrangements, as well as the mixing process in the UK with Richard Flack. The band also worked with Sam Moses for mastering the album in Nashville, TN. The band explained that the album was delayed due to the "financial limitations of the independent group, which led to a slowing and eventual end of the project."

Style and influences

To create the musical style of the Golden Silence, the band drew inspiration from musicians who play folk music, such as Counting Crows, Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Bruce Springsteen, Regina Spektor, Modest Mouse, and Jimmy Eat World. They used many different instruments, including the Koto, orchestral arrangements, horns, bass clarinet, ambient sounds, violoncello, ukuleles, autoharps, and accordions. The band also explored styles like synthpop and contemporary pop, using synthesizers and electronic drums. "It is more exploratory," Gabriel said in an interview with NewsDay. "The release keeps the same mix of female and male vocals," Zeldin added.

Promotion and release

After leaving the barn, the Narrative released a B-side collection titled B-Sides and Seasides on April 4, 2012, to help pay for making the album. They sold donation packages through their official website, which included digital downloads, Skype performances, special items, and private acoustic performances. Later, they shared an online lyric video for the B-side track "Hallelujah," using footage from the album recordings. Earlier promotion for the album occurred when the band was interviewed on NewsDay on June 19, 2012, where they discussed the album's creation during the recording process. From November 15 to December 9, 2012, the band performed the songs "Toe The Line" and "Moving Out" live during a small east coast tour in the United States.

In early 2014, the band began sharing previews of songs recorded during the album's rehearsals at the barn on their Instagram account. On September 26, the band posted the album's track listing on a Facebook update.

Singles

On July 3, 2014, the Narrative released their lead single from the album "Chasing a Feeling" to digital retailers. The song was first shared by American Songwriter. The music video for "Chasing a Feeling" was directed by Sean O'Kane with help from Hilary J. Corts. It was filmed on November 11, 2013, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The video premiered on July 28, 2014, on Idolator.

"Moving Out" was released as a promotional single on January 12, 2016, through digital download. Unlike the first single, "Moving Out" includes the musical styles of alternative rock and pop punk. The next promotional single, "Toe the Line," was released on January 27, 2016. On October 28, 2016, the band released the song "California Sun" to announce the album's release date. To continue promoting the album, the band premiered "Oklahoma Air" on November 9, 2016, along with the album's pre-order on the iTunes Store. The final single before the album's release, "Reason to Leave," was released on November 21, 2016.

Personnel

• Suzie Zeldin: vocals, piano, keyboards, songwriting, and percussion
• Jesse Gabriel: vocals, guitar, banjo, koto, autoharp, songwriting, and percussion

• Alex Overington: instrumental arrangements
• Jay Scalchunes: drums and percussion
• Ari Sadowitz: bass
• Bryan Russell: accordion
• Dylan Ebrahimian: violin
• Jon Block: violin
• Phil Carter: viola
• Mohit Mansukani: cello
• David Harary: clarinet and bass clarinet
• Karri Diomede: flute
• Wes Maples: saxophone
• Jonathan D. Schneck: banjo

• Bryan Russell: production and engineering
• Justin Long: engineering
• Sean Killary: engineering
• Richard Flack: mixing
• Jon Florencio: mixing
• Sam Moses: mastering
• Vicky Dinka: photography