Visions of Albion: Cinematic Pop and the Spirit of ‘Avenues’

Liverpool-based duo Visions of Albion return with Avenues, a new single arriving 13 March 2026 that leans into atmosphere as much as melody. Drawing on the baroque pop craft of the late ’60s while embracing modern production techniques, the track unfolds like a film scene — measured, evocative, and quietly immersive. Inspired in part by a recent trip to Paris, Avenues blends analogue warmth, layered instrumentation, and cinematic pacing into something that feels both nostalgic and distinctly contemporary.

We caught up with the band to talk about songwriting, vintage influences, and the delicate balance between space and arrangement.

When you were writing Avenues, were you consciously thinking in visual or narrative terms, or did that atmosphere emerge naturally through the arrangement process?

“It was kind of both. The visual often dictates the words. We have a bit of an odd songwriting process where Sam will come up with the melody and words, then give it to Dan who sets it to music. So the melody and visuals are almost one.

We actually took a trip to Paris last year and started recording the track in the studio the same day we got back. Paris definitely inspired a lot of where the arrangement went. It sort of evolved into a love letter to the city, which gave the song a focus it didn’t have beforehand.”

How do you draw from late-60s influences while still making something that feels contemporary and personal?

“Whilst a lot of our creative process in writing and composing is massively influenced by all things ’60s, we like to make use of everything modern technology affords — convenience included. That’s actually the part we love: marrying the old with the new. We want our songs to give you the same feeling some of the classics do, but we try to stay self-aware enough to avoid drifting into pastiche.”

What role does analogue-inspired sound play in shaping the emotional arc of the song?

“We like using analogue-inspired elements to add warmth and depth. Sometimes when something is completely digital it can feel a bit sterile — like it’s missing that ‘something’ the cleanness of digital can’t quite give you.

A lot of the layering in our songs is dictated by the strength of the melody. With something like Avenues, which has quite a straightforward melody, we’re afforded space for other elements. The marxophone, for example, was the last layer added to the track and it’s one of our favourite parts. A lot of the time it just comes down to trial and error — seeing what works and what doesn’t.”

Was it important to let the song unfold at its own pace, even if that meant stepping away from more conventional hooks?

“Definitely. We created Avenues very much like you’d create a scene in a film. Missing out on obvious hooks or standout moments is somewhat intentional. We wanted the narrative arc of the song to dictate the pace rather than the musical elements themselves.”

How does Liverpool — both its musical history and your own experiences there — shape the identity of Visions of Albion?

“Everybody knows how rich Liverpool’s history is when it comes to music and pop culture, so that definitely rubs off on you. Everybody knows someone artistic — whether it’s music, songwriting, painting. Growing up in such an artistically fertile environment definitely leaves an influence on you. It’s a place with a strong identity, and we like to think that’s something it’s given us as well.”