“Thoughts and Prayers” is a moving track from Future Ghost, the Orlando, FL-based duo of Jake Ellis and Kat Albanese. “How many more does it take?” are its opening lyrics, addressing recurring tragedy caused by gun violence and mass shootings. Both vocalists weave around murky assortments of guitars and synths, crafting a hypnotic and haunting feel, especially as twangy guitars converge with a ghostly tone past the two-minute mark. The final section’s featuring of string-based undercurrents and rising guitar plays excellently, tidily closing a resonating effort.
The band writes the following, in elaborating on the track’s themes:
In December 2019, the New York Times released a piece called The Decade in Pictures. One of the most captivating photos in the series was a 2002 photo of a teacher escorting her students out of Sandy Hook Elementary School. I was caught off guard at how much time had passed since the photo had been taken and how little has changed in the public discourse around gun violence and mass shootings. Thoughts and Prayers is our response to the lack of change and progress in a country we call home.
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“Thoughts and Prayers” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of March 2020’ Spotify playlist.
