Within 24 hours of it’s release, ADVENT, the latest EP from ethereal rockers Young Oceans, hit #5 on the iTunes Christian and Gospel albums chart. The follow-up to YOUNG OCEANS self-titled debut, the 6 song ADVENT was never meant to be a full scale release.
Originally conceived as a meditative companion for the Advent season, a shrugging off of expected traditions in favor of an Old Testament perspective of yearning the scope and meaning of the collection was ultimately altered and expanded by circumstances surrounding it’s recording.
The recording sessions were delayed by a number of events, most notably the massive destruction of Hurricane Sandy on Brooklyn and the greater New York area. With the band’s Red Hook, Brooklyn studio directly in the line of the storm, power was lost, commuting was suspended, and even the producer’s vehicle was abandoned for a time without enough gas to wait in line for this commodity that had become so rare and precious in the New York area.
In the letter that accompanied the release of ADVENT this week, Young Oceans explain, “From the heartache and sorrow we all experience, to the seemingly endless groans of creation, we are reminded that even we who have the firstfruits of the Spirit often experience life as a mystifying narrative. With that in mind, our intent was to present these songs with purity and beauty, but also with an honest representation of the veil we’re peering through.
“So, we share this music with humility and expectation, linking our hearts with our Lord Jesus, resting in the wondrous gift of the first Advent, waiting, and longing for the second.”
Now, with this newfound purpose for ADVENT, Young Oceans is committed to posting daily devotionals and scriptures on both their Facebook, Twitter and website to help inspire others to absorb the true meaning of the season before Christmas.