Ishmael Ensemble – Dust

Ishmael Ensemble returns with “Dust,” the second single from their forthcoming album, Rituals. Following the expansive, improvised synth jam “Madrid,” “Dust” introduces the vocal debut of band leader Pete Cunningham. The track delves into themes of nostalgia and the emotional weight of entering fatherhood, set against the lush soundscapes and swirling electronics that have become synonymous with the band’s music.

This single sets the emotional tone for Rituals, an album that promises to explore new musical territories while building on the foundations laid by their previous two records. The band’s sound is bigger and bolder, partly due to working with Grammy-winning producer Ali Staton (Madonna, Lamb, Lorde) at Real World Studios.

Since releasing their sophomore album, Visions of Light, Ishmael Ensemble has toured globally, gaining critical acclaim and new audiences. Their live performances have grown, gracing stages from Glastonbury’s West Holts to Brixton Academy, allowing the band to expand their cinematic sound to fit these larger venues.

Cunningham aimed to capture this new energy and use it as a sonic palette for Rituals. Scheduled for release in September 2024, Rituals marks a significant leap for the Bristolian musicians. The album maintains their blend of spiritual jazz, dub, experimental, and electronic soundscapes, but pushes these elements into more song-based, accessible forms. The result is a nearly psychedelic fusion of colors, textures, and moods, making Rituals a bold statement of their boundary-pushing ambition.