“Swim” Cover Art by Madison Arrichiello

For the past few months, most of the world has been haunted by fear and uncertainty. H A U N T E R’s new single “Swim’ Ft. Nature Shots,” could not have come at a better time. The track’s eerie, jazz-infused soundscape lives up to the project’s name, but instead of commiserating in the darkness H A U N T E R offers hope. 

A celebration of collective strength and moving forward, H A U N T E R and Nature Shots (Michi Tassey) transport listeners from contemplative darkness into a much-needed new light. It is the first single off of H A U N T E R ‘s upcoming debut album, “GO OFF INTO THE NIGHT,” which is set to be released in June. 

H A U N T E R is the solo project of Sander Bryce, who has been hard at work on the album for the last five years. Bryce is the drummer of Boston Indie/Jazz favorites Really From and former drummer of I Kill Giants. In a past AP interview, Bryce described his role in the project as less of a “producer” and more of a “curator.” Along with Bryce’s drumming and Tassey’s vocals, the song features Sai Bodduppali on bass, Chris Lee on guitar, and Matt Politoski (of Animal Flag) on synths. Bryce often collaborates with other artists and friends. 2016 saw the release of a self-titled EP with vocal features from Michi Tassey, Dylan Hanwright, and Emperor X. In 2017, Gauntly was featured on “Wait” off the 2-song release “Bas Relief”.  

H A U N T E R by Nick Surette

“Stay ft. Nature Shots” begins with layered synthesizers and ethereal guitars. Bryce describes it as being about “strengthening ourselves to strengthen those around us.” It proves to be a difficult yet rewarding process. Tassey joins and steadily guides us to the chorus where she sings about the things we do to keep ourselves from drowning. Eventually, Tassey laments that “We must learn to swim alone.”  

The intricacy of the instrumentation and the lush background harmonies of the chorus make each progression feel like a revelation. As the tension builds, Tassey ends the second verse with what feels like the song’s climax and a glorious celebration: “We are the light we seek, through the shade of pain to peace,” a glimmer of hope. 

The final chorus breaks: “We’ve been casting circles” Tassey sings again, “To keep us from drowning in this water, Oh the shapes we throw can’t keep us afloat,” Moving forward is not easy, but it is possible.  

Sometimes, “we must learn to swim alone.”  

Stream the single, “Swim Ft. Nature Shots” below.