We Speak Music
Will Bates Delivers Masterful Album ‘The Pirate Album’
With the release of his album, The Pirate Album, Will Bates—who is well-known for his vast body of work in cinema and television composition—has entered uncharted musical ground. Sketches from a forgotten project and a fifteen-foot balafon were the strange starting points for this project. First envisioned as a budding film score, the partnership with friend and drummer Mathias Kunzli took an unexpected turn when the renowned composer turned it into a significant release.
After the movie idea was abandoned, Bates repurposed balafon drawings to create The Pirate Album. He assembled a talented group of musicians, including drummer Spencer Cohen and jazz musician Quentin Collins, who helped transform the original doodles into complete tunes. Their input helped Bates create a unique and original musical experience.
Sonically, the Pirate Album is influenced by a wide range of genres and is thought to fall between Talking Heads and Eden Ahbez. But the album’s route wasn’t a straight line. Bates balanced his composing commissions over a period of eighteen months with sporadic record revivals. A breakthrough occurred when Bates’s own production firm, Fall On Your Sword, music supervisor Lucy Alper, was able to obtain a sync for one of the tunes. This encouraged Bates to finish the record.
In conclusion, the album is a creative collaboration by Bates, that showcases his creative spirit and rejection-response relationship. The album features nine diverse and sonically striking tracks, showcasing Bates’ status as an important artist in the music scene. The unique sound design and atmosphere make it a sensational listen, regardless of the setting.
We Speak Music
Rising Stars Roundup: Bantunani, Chris Errera, and More

This week, we discovered some great acts from all over the globe and rounded up some of our favorite releases. The eclectic roundup list features Bantunani, Chris Errera, Dani W + Drew, Joze Wonder, and Medha Krishna.
Bantunani – Secret Pen (About Music) (feat. Misato)

Chris Errera – Gears Of Time (2025 Remastered Version)

Dani W + Drew – The Finer Things

Joze Wonder – Canción de Amor

Medha Krishna – Ishaare

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