Anywhere off Hatteras Island, Chicamacomico sounds made up, like some wine-drunk incantation or maybe a tongue twister—try to say it ten times fast. But as a former life-saving station built in 1874 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the name is perhaps the perfect metaphor and title for American Aquarium’s ninth studio album. The Old North State is tattooed on the bones of front man BJ Barham, who has never lived more than two hours from his hometown in Reidsville. But, more so, what better to represent an album about loss than a place built to save the lives of shipwrecked mariners and passengers?Song as a sort of salvation is something Barham hopes this album can do for the band’s established and growing fanbase. Sometimes when we’re drowning, music keeps us afloat. “When these massive life changes happen, we feel like we are the only ones facing these problems,” Barham said. “I hope this album serves as a salve to anyone who has experienced this sort of loss over the last few years. I hope it makes them feel a little less isolated and disconnected. I want them to know that someone out there is going through the exact same shit and that they are not alone.” With tracks tackling personal loss—the loss of his mother and grandmother, the loss of a child, the loss of youth and time and the creative spark that drives him—Chicamacomico feels stripped down and bare-boned in its instrumentation compared to earlier records. The orchestration is dialed back leaving the lyrics to stand naked front and center. It’s reminiscent of Rockingham, Barham’s 2016 solo album, and this may be in part a result of producer Brad Cook, who produced both albums as well as the band’s 2015 record Wolves. But it’s likely more a sign of the maturing sound and expanding scope of a songwriter now fully comfortable and confident in his own skin. “When you are young, you want to play everything loud and fast and I think that comes, at least in part, from uncertainty. I hadn't fully found my voice back in those early days so the louder and faster the songs were the less chance someone could actually hear what I was saying. I'm not afraid of the lyrics sitting way out front anymore because I am confident in the songwriting. The band can still cut loose and take over a song, but they aren't expected to do all the heavy lifting these days.” Few songwriters swing the hammer as hard and precise as Barham and it is a testament to the humility and trust of his bandmates that they take the back seat and allow his storytelling to drive us home. With a heavy tour the rest of the year and a backlist of brass-knuckled bangers, each will surely have their fair share of time at the wheel. But as for this record, be thankful for the subtlety, for the stillness and for the quiet. For ten songs, Chicamacomico will hold your head above water. COVID-19 Acknowledgement & Ticket Disclaimer: This ticket is a revocable license and may be taken up and admission refused upon refunding thepurchase price appearing hereon and is grounds for seizure and cancellation withoutcompensation. Holder of this ticket (“Holder”) voluntarily assumes all risks and dangerincidental to the game or event for which this ticket is issued whether occurring prior to, during,or after same, including, but not limited to, contracting, and/or spreading the COVID-19 virus,and agrees that the organization, venue, presenter, agents, participants, or players are notresponsible or liable for any injuries, sickness, or death resulting from such causes. Holderacknowledges that the COVID-19 pandemic remains a threat to individual and public health,COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease transmitted through human contact and respiratorydroplets (including through the air and via common surfaces) and it is possible that Holder maycontract COVID-19 while at the game or event for which this ticket is issued. Holder agrees byuse of this ticket not to transmit or aid in transmitting any description, account, picture, orreproduction of the game or event to which this ticket is issued. Breach of the foregoing willautomatically terminate this license. Holder agrees that the license comprised by this ticket maybe removed and Holder may be ejected from the game or event for which this ticket is issued inthe event that Holder violates any law, ordinance, or venue regulation. Holder grants permissionto the organization sponsoring the game or event for which this ticket is issued to utilize Holder’simage or likeness in connection with any video or other transmission or reproduction of the eventto which this ticket relates.