Twilight Sad's New Album Chronicles Seven Years of Loss, Fatherhood, and Healing
In the seven years since their last album, Scottish rockers the Twilight Sad have navigated profound personal turmoil, including dementia, cancer, and mental health breakdowns. Now, they are back with a visceral sixth album, It's the Long Goodbye, set for release on 27 March via Rock Action. The record serves as a raw diary of frontman James Graham's experiences, marking a pivotal return to music after a period of intense struggle.
Confronting Grief and Mental Health Head-On
James Graham, speaking from his home in north-east Scotland, has been unflinchingly open about the challenges he faced. He lost his mother to dementia, became a father to two boys, and grappled with severe mental health issues that forced the band to cancel a tour with the Cure. The album's title, It's the Long Goodbye, reflects his experience of watching his mother slowly disappear, a process he describes as "seven years of saying goodbye so many times." Graham recalls moments of being so ill while writing that memories are hazy, but the emotions resurface vividly in tracks like Waiting for the Phone Call, which captures the dread of awaiting bad news.
Unlike previous albums rich in metaphor, this record strips away abstraction for a direct, emotional punch. Songs such as Attempt a Crash Landing – Theme delve into dark themes, with Graham singing over crashing guitars about resignation and loss. The album closes with TV People Still Throwing TVs at People, where a repeated refrain—"It's OK to feel this way"—signals a hard-won acceptance and hope.
The Cure's Robert Smith: A Lifeline and Collaborator
A key figure in the Twilight Sad's journey has been Robert Smith of the Cure, whom Graham and guitarist Andy MacFarlane now affectionately call "Rab." Smith, a self-described superfan since hearing their debut album Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters, offered unwavering support. When Graham reached a breaking point in 2023, waking up unable to move and canceling the South American tour, Smith immediately emailed, saying, "None of this matters. Get better."
Smith's involvement extended beyond moral support; he features on three tracks of the new album and provided detailed feedback on demos, helping with arrangements. MacFarlane recalls Smith pulling out a pad full of notes during a session, likening it to "getting a lecture off the teacher." This collaboration deepened a friendship that began in 2016 when the Twilight Sad joined the Cure on a world tour, a partnership that continues as the band prepares to tour with them again this summer.
Personal Transformation and Future Hopes
For Graham, the past years have reshaped his identity and priorities. Now living in a small village, he is known locally as "Arthur and Norrie's Dad," a title he cherishes. His children became his anchor during dark times, and he expresses more pride in being a present father than in the album itself. Reflecting on not playing the 2023 tour, Graham sees it as a crucial decision that allowed him to heal, start medication, and gradually find happiness.
Graham acknowledges the stereotype of being "miserable" but is eager to move forward. "I'm so ready to be happy," he says, emphasizing that the album's message is about resilience: "You can go through that and get to the other side." With It's the Long Goodbye, the Twilight Sad not only documents pain but also offers a testament to survival and the power of vulnerability in music.
