December 24th, 2024 marks the highly anticipated return of BOX with the release of their latest EP, Born To Crawl, via Miserable Pyre. Crafted with unflinching vulnerability and a genre-defying approach, this digital-only release offers a fleeting yet profound exploration of heartbreak, surreal dreams, and the haunting beauty of winter.
Entirely written, recorded, and produced by multi-instrumentalist Andrew Stromstad (also of I AM THE INTIMIDATOR, POISON IDEA, ATRIARCH), Born To Crawl spans four tracks that traverse the emotional spectrum in just under 18 minutes. Each song is steeped in personal reflection, blending minimalist arrangements with cinematic instrumentation. From the melancholic simplicity of the title track, “Born To Crawl,” to the surreal orchestral flourishes of “Ayla,” the EP invites listeners into a deeply introspective world.
Stromstad describes the piece as a meditation on decay, both literal and emotional. Inspired by childhood winters spent near Alaska’s Taku Lake, “Taku” feels like staring into the frozen black sky while surrounded by swaying pine trees—a haunting stillness that’s as beautiful as it is lonely. The song’s middle section, driven by horns, evokes the surreal comfort of those frozen moments, weaving childhood nostalgia with a sense of timeless foreboding.
Born To Crawl reflects BOX’s trademark ability to merge stark emotion with lush sonic ambition, showcasing Stromstad’s versatility as a songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer. The result is an EP that feels intimate and expansive—a winter dreamscape that lingers long after the final note.
Tracklist:
- “Born To Crawl” (3:28)
- “Exposed” (5:07)
- “Ayla” (4:50)
- “Taku” (4:24)
About BOX
BOX is the creative outlet of Andrew Stromstad, a multi-instrumentalist whose work explores the intersections of emotion, memory, and sound. Known for blending minimalist songwriting with expansive arrangements, BOX defies genre to create music that is as intimate as it is otherworldly.
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Recording Lineup:
- Andrew Stromstad – Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Drums, Synths, Trumpet/French Horn/Trombone, Auxiliary Percussion
EP Credits:
- Producer: Andrew Stromstad
- Recording Studio: Miserable Pyre
- Engineer: Andrew Stromstad
- Mixing: Andrew Stromstad
- Mastering: Andrew Stromstad
- EP Cover Artist: Andrew Stromstad