The Movement has officially slated April 8th, 2016 as the release date for the band’s 6th studio album, Golden. The forthcoming album will be released via Rootfire Cooperative, the not-for-profit record label recently established by Rootfire.
The 12-track album will feature appearances from the likes of Collie Buddz, Elliot Martin of John Brown’s Body, Leilani Wolfgramm, Mr. Williamz, and Bobby Hustle. Collie Buddz and Bobby Hustle join the group on an old favorite with a 2016 rendition of The Movements track, “Habit”, that was originally released on the 2008 record, Set Sail.
Last time we caught up with The Movement’s lead singer & guitarist, Josh Swain, he couldn’t hide his excitement for the new album, exclaiming, “in my opinion, it’s by far the best and most important stuff we’ve ever done.” Swain also added, “It takes a lot for me to get really amped about a project and I gotta tell you, I can’t fucking wait for you to hear this thing.” 
In tandem with Rootfire, the reggae rock trio revealed the artwork for their new album on February 9th in a fittingly grassroots method that involved hundreds of their biggest fans; A plan that was nearly a year in the making.
Last spring The Movement put a “free sticker” button on their website, but the band didn’t draw any attention to its presence or give any additional information to those who signed up for the sticker. Months past and most fans likely forgot all about receiving their free sticker. But all along, The Movement was cleverly planning to thank their dedicated fanbase by involving them in the unveiling of the album artwork for Golden.
Two giant posters of the album artwork were carefully cut into 1,780 2X2” squares, then numbered 1 through 890. The square pieces were then enveloped and mailed across the country to The Movement’s loyal fans…along with the sticker they had signed up for nearly a year earlier.
In an effort to create a collage of the Golden album cover, fans have been using the hashtag #GoldenMVMT and tagging @TheMovementVibe to share their section of the artwork on social media.
The Movement’s manager, Reid Foster, explained the thinking behind the project, “In a time when CDs collect dust on shelves, The Movement wanted to give fans something special…something they can hold onto and keep as a souvenir of sorts.” Josh Swain added, “We want the fans to listen to this record feeling connected, knowing that they are just as much a part of the music as we are.”
As for the artwork itself? Golden‘s cover is a vertical image of an ocean horizon, with the sea and sky perfectly split in half, and a thin spiral etched over the top. Swain explains that the tilted image requires “the viewer to try and see things from a new perspective.”
The Movement will be performing a handful of shows in the Southeast this spring to warm fans up for the April 8th release. From there, The Movement will perform at April 9th’s California Roots: The Carolina Sessions (just one day removed from the album drop), as well as Reggae On The Block in Orlando and Levitate Music Festival in Massachusetts.
The Movement also just announced plans to drop a single from the new record on February 23, 2016!
The Movement – Golden Track List:
1.) Blinded
2.) Dancehall (feat. Mr. Williamz)
3.) Golden (feat. Elliot Martin)
4.) Fair Warning
5.) Smoke
6.) Rescue
7.) On Top (feat. Leilani Wolfgramm)
8.) Through the Heart
9.) Home
10.) Retriever
11.) Habit 2016 (feat. Collie Buddz & Bobby Hustle)
12.) Wild Time
Related Links:
The Movement Website
The Movement Facebook
Article By: Brian Winters
The Movement’s New Album GOLDEN out April 8, 2016
