Seafret – ‘River of Tears’: A haunting step into new territory.
Marking a decade since their breakthrough hit Atlantis, Seafret return with River of Tears, a track that signals a bold shift in their musical journey. Known for their deeply emotional storytelling and delicate acoustic arrangements, the duo—Jack Sedman and Harry Draper—venture into darker, more cinematic territory with this latest offering, crafting a sound that is both rich in atmosphere and heavy with sentiment.
At its core, River of Tears explores the agony of a love that was always destined to end, yet still feels impossible to let go of. It captures the familiar ache of knowing something is over, but still struggling to accept it, making for one of Seafret’s most poignant and relatable lyrical offerings to date. The song was originally written on piano, reflecting its melancholic roots, but as the duo experimented with deeper, moodier production, they uncovered a sound that demanded to be pursued. The result is a track that retains their signature emotional depth while embracing a more expansive sonic world.
Sonically, River of Tears builds upon Seafret’s trademark wistfulness, but pushes their sound into new, more atmospheric waters. While previous releases leaned heavily on stripped-back acoustics, this track layers shimmering textures, cinematic depth, and a haunting ambiance that feels both intimate and grand in scale. The melancholic instrumental swells under Sedman’s emotive vocals, creating a dynamic push-and-pull between heartbreak and catharsis. It’s a natural evolution for a band that has always been deeply connected to raw emotion but now finds new ways to express it.
Seafret themselves describe River of Tears as a turning point—not just for their upcoming album, but for them as writers. “It isn’t a style of song we’ve done in the past,” they explain, “but it feels like we’ve opened a door to somewhere new and exciting.” This reinvention is not only refreshing but essential, breathing new life into their artistry without abandoning the core elements that made them so beloved in the first place. For fans who have followed their journey since Atlantis, this new chapter offers something familiar yet undeniably fresh.