Bones + Longing is the fifth studio album by Irish singer-songwriter Gemma Hayes.
The album was released on 14 November in Ireland and on 17 November in the UK, the US & Canada. It was released elsewhere around the world on 2 March 2015 and German speaking territories on 6 March 2015, with a vinyl release on 12 June 2015.
The album was recorded in Dublin, Noyant-la-Gravoyère and London.
Background and development
In June 2012, Gemma Hayes announced she was writing new material in Ireland. Hayes had previously planned to move back to Los Angeles to work on the album, but later decided against this decision and continued to reside in Dublin.
By 9 August 2012, Hayes announced she had begun a side-project with long-term producer David Odlum and was continuing to work on her own material. Hayes also confirmed the future release of a live limited edition vinyl (previously billed for 2013 release).Night & Day's release was deferred until spring 2014 and was funded through her Pledge Music campaign. By October 2012, Hayes began a short tour of Ireland and the UK, Hayes would not return to the live music scene until 2013.
By 22 April 2013, Hayes announced a new batch of songs were written while in Ireland and demos where being finalized in a studio in France where the bones of the fifth studio album (later titled named as Bones+Longing) were recorded.
During July 2013, Hayes returned to Ireland to tour as part of A Woman's Heart. On 16 August 2013 Hayes launched her Pledge Music campaign where fans and pledgers could support the album's production and release
During the early stages of the album's production Hayes became pregnant and production finished in late December and recommenced again in mid-February due to the birth of her baby. On 10 April 2014, Hayes revealed the titles of three new songs 'To Be Your Honey' (a preview of which was made available on her website), 'Palomino' and 'Making My Way Back'. Hayes later confirmed mixing and mastering took place in France the next month
In April 2014, Hayes performed a number of UK gigs prior to the release of the fifth studio album. These gigs were part of her Pledge Music campaign. On 16 June 2014, Hayes confirmed the album was completed.
On 24 June 2014, her management hinted the album's title as Bones & Longing. Following this Hayes discussed the album's production and confirmed new tracks were recorded including 'The Shit I Own’ and ‘Caught My Hand’. A 21-second snippet of a new track ‘Making My Way Back’ was also revealed.
On 9 July 2014, the album's producer David Odlum confirmed the albums was mixed and mastered and ready for a late autumn release. On 29 July 2014 Hayes' management confirmed a photoshoot took place to promote the forthcoming album release.
On 1 August 2014, Hayes confirmed through her Pledge Music page her fifth studio album is titled Bones + Longing.
On 22 September 2014, Hayes announced the first single release from album 'Chasing' would precede the album's release due in November.
The album was released independently through her own label Chasing Dragons (similar to Hollow of Morning and Let It Break), it was initially anticipated for the album to be licensed to other labels for release in other territories.
On 20 September 2014, the album's artwork was revealed. On 1 October 2014 the album's full track listing was revealed along with 30-second snippets of each track.
The album was released in Ireland, North America and the UK in November 2014. It received a wider international release in February/March 2015.
Release
The album is released through Chasing Dragons. The album was released in CD format in Ireland on 14 November 2014. It was then released digitally in Ireland, the UK and North America on 17 November 2015
The album was made available internationally from 17 November exclusively through her Pledge Music campaign. It became available on CD and iTunes in February 2015 and March 2015 in various territories. The album was distributed by Kartel (UK, US), Katel Bertus (France, Belgium), Shock (Australia/New Zealand), Membrane (Switzerland, Austria and Germany) and Fontana North (Canada).
The vinyl release was delayed numerous times before being made available in early June 2015. The limited deluxe edition will be released in late September/early October 2015.
Theme
The album's theme has been described as providing sonambulent pop/shoegaze textures that mix the dreamy with the spooky.
Artwork
On 20 September 2014 the artwork for the album was revealed, where it was announced Humphrey Bangham produced the artwork.