SURVIVAL GUIDE Announces Fourth Full-Length Album 'deathdreams'

“Over the last few years, I've had a handful of dreams that involved my own death in various ways, and they've all been profound for me,” says Emily "Agent M" Whitehurst (former vocalist for punk standouts Tsunami Bomb) about the themes surrounding her upcoming fourth full-length Survival Guide album deathdreams (release date: October 19, 2023 via Double Helix Records).

“It seemed natural to call the album deathdreams after this theme, and I like the opposing imagery and feelings those words can conjure. I like the way dreams can be thought of as soft, sweet, or strange, and death as dark and ominous. These are all descriptors that fit various songs on the album as well, so it seemed like the right title for the collection.”

The first single “Blood Perfume” - out today - found Whitehurst writing from the perspective of people or entities (such as social media, religion, an emotionally abusive partner or family member, politics, drugs, etc) that can “turn negative” when we allow them control.

“Not that all those things are inherently bad,” she adds, “but I feel like we can be so easily manipulated sometimes, and we don’t even know it’s happening. I love how the feel of this song turned out very ominous, but also dry and straightforward.” The accompanying music video (also out today) is a short horror film involving a serial killer who gruesomely dispatches the body.

"Yes, there was blood and violence involved [in the video]," she laughs, "but none of it was real of course... although I did have to really drag a man's body in a tarp, which was pretty difficult! I hope people aren't too scared to watch it!"

Produced by Bob Hoag (Dear and the Headlights, The Ataris, The Format) at Flying Blanket Recording in Mesa, AZ, the songs on deathdreams range from chillingly eerie rhythms (“Stay Dead”), to '70s-styled secret agent spy theme ("Sharpshooter") to a melancholic piano ballad (“I’ll Picture You”).

At times a darkly sonic and emotional hand grenade, and others a sparkly shimmering rainbow of rich melodies and textures, deathdreams is a tour de force that showcases the breadth and depth of Whitehurst’s songwriting, lyrical imagery, and vocal fortitude. Far-ranging in its topic matter, the album touches on the themes of anxiety (“wordswordswords”) and the dangers of societal influences (“Bad Little Seed”), coupled with Whitehurst’s dreams about dying (“Lady Neptune").

“My favorite kinds of albums are the ones that take you places and have a song for every mood, so that's what I made,” she says excitedly.

Emily Whitehurst is the solo force behind Survival Guide. Her fourth-full length album deathdreams will be released on October 19, 2023 via Double Helix Records. “Blood Perfume” is now available on all platforms.

Photo credit: Kat Carey / darkroomfoto