View basket “The Blues Is Calling” has been added to your basket. The Foreign Department Astrel K SKU: TLV171LP Barcode: 5055869550796 23.00 £23.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Tough Love Released Date: 8th March 2024 Buying Format: 1LP Out of stock Back Order Add to your Wishlist Description Product Info “But into my miserable brain, always concerned with looking for noon at two o’clock” – Charles Baudelaire (1869) The Foreign Department is the second album by Astrel K, the solo project helmed by Stockholm-based British ex-pat, Rhys Edwards. Those already familiar with Edwards’ work will likely know him for fronting the cultishly great Ulrika Spacek, and given he operates as the principal songwriter in both projects, much of the same hallmarks of his cathartic, elliptical songwriting are present in Astrel K. Nonetheless, The Foreign Department feels like a rubicon moment of sorts, and the album that Edwards has unconsciously been working towards his entire creative life. As a title, The Foreign Department offers an instructive guide for the listener, framing a life-in-transition/artist-in-exile document that maps two impromptu moves in twelve months for its songwriter: the first from London in pursuit of a relationship, the second between homes in Stockholm as that decade long relationship then suddenly dissolved. Indeed, diffusion, dissolution and reconstitution feel like appropriate touchstones for its recurring themes. Written amidst the flux of two states, at once isolated from home and then any established emotional anchor, the resulting eleven tracks came to represent a precognitive search for shifting identity and with it forming an unwittingly biographical record. It’s commendable and somewhat telling that during this shake up, Edwards somehow landed upon his most realised and original work. With a former life stripped away, there emerged an opportunity to reinvent a sense of self through art, now not just as a writer, but a composer also. Developing the confidence to arrange songs in ways he’d previously considered off-limits, while also taking cues from the opulent string and brass arrangements of records like Mercury Rev’s Deserters’ Songs and Death of A Ladies Man by Leonard Cohen, Edwards enlisted a range of performers to bring to life the mini-symphonies forming in his head. Perhaps it’s inevitable that an album written while facing the consequences of being alone would eventually ossify around the process of bringing people together. For all its troubled origins, The Foreign Department is a remarkably warm sounding collection. Edwards’ lyrics are typically knotty and neurotic, dancing around the poetry of quarter-life anxiety, but the music itself is often joyous and even uplifting, the combination expressing that neat duality of melancholic euphoria. Edwards sings variously of crises, “torrid pieces of art”, of “houses on fire” and not “having the guts for it”, yet these troubling sentiments are framed by seemingly incongruous swelling strings, chirping horns or motorik percussion, creating that sense of pushing forward or floating above, of wrapping your troubles in dreams, a salve for the moments when you get a bit too much for yourself. Lead single, ‘Darkness At Noon’, likely captures this all best. Named for the French idiom “midi a quatorze heures”, the maddening idea of attempting the impossible for the sake of some greater possibly pointless cause, it directly grapples with the opposing notions of wanting and not wanting, of being here and being there at the same time. The conflicting and impossible self. It’s something Edwards addresses in the song at perhaps his most open, opining, “I know I want to be seen, but I hate most of what comes out of me”. And yet here is, putting it all out in the open and on the line, the dialectics of his enlightenment up on show. Artist Astrel K Genre Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label Tough Love Buying Options 1LP Format 1LP Condition New Country UK Track Listings Heavy Is the Head Darkness At Noon By Depol Brighter Spells Firma Birds In Vacant Lots The Foreign Department C Ya! A Rudderless Ship Daffodil R U A Literal Child? Share this On Facebook On Twitter Via Email More from Astrel K and more from Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo View Product Quick View Astrel K Flickering i Rock And Pop | Duophonic Super 45s | 1LP Released 29th April 2022 £21.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Astrel K Flickering i £21.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Duophonic Super 45s SKU: DS3348LP Formats: 1LP Released Date: 29th April 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Ride Weather Diaries Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Wichita | 2LP, Includes Download Code Released 12th June 2017 £23.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Ride Weather Diaries £23.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Wichita SKU: WEBB510LP Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 12th June 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Frameworks Smother Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Deathwish | 180g, 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 4th July 2016 £13.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Frameworks Smother £13.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Deathwish SKU: 0640841637135 Formats: 180g, 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 4th July 2016 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Murder By Death Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them? Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Bloodshot | 180g, 1LP, Includes Download Code Released 27th July 2018 £17.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Murder By Death Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them? £17.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Bloodshot SKU: BS716LP Formats: 180g, 1LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 27th July 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Diet Cig Over Easy Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Father/Daughter Records | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released 27th September 2017 £21.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Diet Cig Over Easy £21.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Father/Daughter Records SKU: FD025LP Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released Date: 27th September 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Rudimentary Peni Death Church Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Sealed Records | 1LP Released 14th January 2022 £20.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Rudimentary Peni Death Church £20.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Sealed Records SKU: SEAL-014 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 14th January 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Veruca Salt IV Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Demon | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 14th August 2020 £19.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Veruca Salt IV £19.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Demon SKU: DEMREC732 Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 14th August 2020 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View GG Allin & The Murder Junkies Brutality And Bloodshed For All Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Alive Records | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 22nd April 2022 £25.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders GG Allin & The Murder Junkies Brutality And Bloodshed For All £25.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Alive Records SKU: LPALIVE0001LEC Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 22nd April 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Bring Me The Horizon Amo – Bricks & Mortar Exclusive Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | RCA | 2LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 25th January 2019 £23.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Bring Me The Horizon Amo – Bricks & Mortar Exclusive £23.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: RCA SKU: 19075895691 Formats: 2LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 25th January 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View TTSSFU Me, Jed and Andy Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Fear of Missing Out Records | 12", EP/Mini Album Released 23rd February 2024 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders TTSSFU Me, Jed and Andy £16.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Fear of Missing Out Records SKU: FOMO050 Formats: 12", EP/Mini Album Released Date: 23rd February 2024 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Venom P. Stinger Whats Yours Is Mine Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Drag City | 1LP Released 19th August 2013 £15.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Venom P. Stinger Whats Yours Is Mine £15.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Drag City SKU: DC537 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 19th August 2013 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders See more in Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Start again
View Product Quick View Astrel K Flickering i Rock And Pop | Duophonic Super 45s | 1LP Released 29th April 2022 £21.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Astrel K Flickering i £21.00 Genre: Rock And Pop Label: Duophonic Super 45s SKU: DS3348LP Formats: 1LP Released Date: 29th April 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Ride Weather Diaries Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Wichita | 2LP, Includes Download Code Released 12th June 2017 £23.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Ride Weather Diaries £23.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Wichita SKU: WEBB510LP Formats: 2LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 12th June 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Frameworks Smother Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Deathwish | 180g, 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 4th July 2016 £13.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Frameworks Smother £13.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Deathwish SKU: 0640841637135 Formats: 180g, 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 4th July 2016 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Murder By Death Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them? Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Bloodshot | 180g, 1LP, Includes Download Code Released 27th July 2018 £17.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Murder By Death Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them? £17.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Bloodshot SKU: BS716LP Formats: 180g, 1LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 27th July 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Diet Cig Over Easy Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Father/Daughter Records | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released 27th September 2017 £21.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Diet Cig Over Easy £21.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Father/Daughter Records SKU: FD025LP Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl, Includes Download Code Released Date: 27th September 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Rudimentary Peni Death Church Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Sealed Records | 1LP Released 14th January 2022 £20.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Rudimentary Peni Death Church £20.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Sealed Records SKU: SEAL-014 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 14th January 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Veruca Salt IV Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Demon | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 14th August 2020 £19.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Veruca Salt IV £19.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Demon SKU: DEMREC732 Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 14th August 2020 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View GG Allin & The Murder Junkies Brutality And Bloodshed For All Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Alive Records | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 22nd April 2022 £25.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders GG Allin & The Murder Junkies Brutality And Bloodshed For All £25.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Alive Records SKU: LPALIVE0001LEC Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 22nd April 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Bring Me The Horizon Amo – Bricks & Mortar Exclusive Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | RCA | 2LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 25th January 2019 £23.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Bring Me The Horizon Amo – Bricks & Mortar Exclusive £23.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: RCA SKU: 19075895691 Formats: 2LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 25th January 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View TTSSFU Me, Jed and Andy Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Fear of Missing Out Records | 12", EP/Mini Album Released 23rd February 2024 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders TTSSFU Me, Jed and Andy £16.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Fear of Missing Out Records SKU: FOMO050 Formats: 12", EP/Mini Album Released Date: 23rd February 2024 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Venom P. Stinger Whats Yours Is Mine Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo | Drag City | 1LP Released 19th August 2013 £15.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Venom P. Stinger Whats Yours Is Mine £15.00 Genre: Alternative Rock / Punk Rock / Emo Label: Drag City SKU: DC537 Formats: 1LP Released Date: 19th August 2013 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders