Snow Patrol hit the fast lane when a savvy music supervisor selected to play "Chasing Cars" during an emotional scene in the second season finale of ABC hit show Grey's Anatomy. Within minutes their atmospheric alt-pop was propelled into the mainstream that had millions of people curious about the British group.
As a result, "Chasing Cars" shot to the top of the Adult Contemporary chart in the U.S. and was nominated for a GRAMMY Award in 2006. In fact, the song was a massive breakout hit around the world that put Snow Patrol in pole position for continued success.
Following the success of their 2009 album "A Hundred Million Suns," the group took time off before starting work on new material. For the past few months, the group has been spending time in the studio with longtime producer Garret "Jacknife" Lee to write and record songs for their forthcoming sixth studio album, titled "Fallen Empires."
On his blog, Snow Patrol's vocalist and lead songwriter Gary Lightbody has been keeping fans posted about the group's new direction. He has written that group has entered "a new phase" and has been experimenting with synths and other electronic instruments to refresh their sound. The group has also been working with different collaborators to bring a new dimension to their music including folk-pop singer Lissie and the famed Inner City Mass Choir in Los Angeles.
The group's new single "Called Out In The Dark" has hit radio in Europe and gives us a glimpse of the group's updated new sound. Firmly anchored in the atmospheric sonics the group is known for, this new track doesn't stray too far from Snow Patrol's signature sound, but it does indicate a transition to a brighter sound that is marked by poppier production stylings.
The accomplished "Called Out In The Dark" unveils glistening synth textures and a striking pop chorus that shows off a different side of Snow Patrol. Driven by a buzzing bassline, a woozy guitar line and Lightbody's smooth vocals, the introverted verses soar into a propulsive chorus that are the perfect backdrop for Lightbody's euphoric, raise-your-hands lyrics. "We are listenting and we are not blind. This is your life, this your time," he sings.
The single will be officially released in September. The music video for "Called Out In The Dark" was directed by Brett Simon who previously worked with Feist on "1234." Listen to "Called Out In The Dark" after the break.