New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light | ||||
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Studio album by Colin Stetson | ||||
Released | April 29, 2013 | |||
Recorded | Sonovox, Le Petit Eglise, OBORO, Monkey Puzzle Studios, April Base | |||
Genre | Avant-garde jazz | |||
Length | 51:41 | |||
Label | Constellation Records | |||
Producer | Ben Frost, Colin Stetson | |||
Colin Stetson chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 81/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Consequence of Sound | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Drowned in Sound | 8/10 |
Exclaim! | 10/10 |
FACT | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
musicOMH | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
No Ripcord | 7/10 |
Pitchfork Media | 8.1/10.0 |
Spin | 8/10 |
The Wire | favorable |
New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light is the fourth studio album by Canada-based saxophonist Colin Stetson, released by Constellation Records in 2013. It is the final part of a trilogy of albums that also encompasses New History Warfare Vol. 1 (2007) and New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges (2011).
Stetson, whose contributions to the album were recorded live without overdubs or loops, is the sole musical performer on the album, with Bon Iver's Justin Vernon later providing vocals on four tracks. Production on the album was undertaken by Stetson in collaboration with Ben Frost. New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light was met with critical acclaim upon its release in April 2013 and was shortlisted for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize three months later.
Stetson's original concept for the New History Warfare trilogy was largely skeletal, and developed as the albums were recorded. New History Warfare Vol. 1 was released in 2008 and had a narrative concept of a story of people who had been living at sea for generations. New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges, released in 2011, told the story of one of these people finally arriving on land. New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light expanded on this, with Stetson stating that "it’s a war story. It’s finding your way to this shining beacon on the mountaintop," and that it "deals with death and love."
Stetson's playing technique includes multiphonics and overblowing, and he uses circular breathing to produce continuous tones without interruption, allowing him to perform an extended stream of notes. The physical and technical demands of this style of playing require Stetson to adhere to a fitness routine that includes running, yoga, breathing exercises and meditation. During the course of his career, his playing proficiency had been developing and each album in the New History Warfare trilogy marked a musical progression from the last. By the time he recorded New History Warfare Vol. 3: To See More Light, Stetson's playing capability had improved to such a level that he claimed "there’s almost nothing in there that I could have played when I recorded Vol. 2."