The Cat Empire’s Where The Angels Fall is an album born of resilience and celebration, a journey that began with the formation of the new lineup over a year ago, and one that lead them to create one of the grandest and most vibrant albums of their career.
In the long history of Aussie music, few bands shine as brightly as the Cat Empire. With a life spanning over two decades, they’ve evolved, enchanted, and entranced on stages throughout the world. Now, with their ninth studio album, the band pay homage to their roots but also start writing an important new chapter in their career. It all started over a year ago when the band underwent a transformative lineup change. From the embers of this fire emerged a phoenix that would write and record one of the grandest and most vibrant albums in their discography. Like a musical kaleidoscope, it truly captures the essence of the Cat Empire.
Returning to their hometown of Melbourne for the album's creation, the band jumped head first into the heart of the city's live music scene, paying homage to the very venues where Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill first forged their musical connection. It's not just a nostalgic trip though, it’s a nod to the vibrant energy of the place that gave birth to their artistic aspirations. The album is not a mere reflection of the past, it's an exploration of new styles and approaches. By embracing the diversity of sounds emerging from a melting pot of local artists, the band have infused the record with a richness of influences.
What really sets Where The Angels Fall apart is the unprecedented number of contemporary musicians involved. In a whirlwind month in the studio, a staggering 75 musicians from diverse backgrounds and corners of the globe contributed their unique sounds. The album became a celebration of diversity, an embodiment of the vibrant, fierce, and joyful spirit that defines the Cat Empire.
As McGill reflects, "Felix and I first formed The Cat Empire more than 20 years ago, and a sheer zest for music was floating in the air." This zest, this unbridled passion, permeates every note of Where The Angels Fall. It's an album that recaptures the energy of their debut release while elevating their sophistication. For Riebl, the journey of creating this album was not only successful but filled with moments of sheer joy. "I’m so excited to have this album out in the world. We put everything we had (and then some) into making it. It was pure music making from the first note to the last." he shares.