Colony House find stillness in motion on the new release “Hummingbird”

Colony House makes a subtly powerful statement about resilience and forward motion with their latest release, “Hummingbird.” Brimming with glowy, warmth and emotional clarity, “Hummingbird” captures a sensation many of us experience all too well, how much it can take to keep your head above water, let alone push forward. “Hummingbird” opens slowly, purposefully, and patiently, drawing listeners into an immersive sound world that feels vast yet close. There’s a gentle grace to the song’s speed, but within that serenity is fixed determination. The band’s talent for matching indelibly catchy hooks with emotional currents that run deeper is on ample display here, resulting in a setting that lightly lifts the spirit without attempting to assert emotion.

That image of the day-to-day struggle is one that so many people can relate to, and Colony House channels that fight with sincerity and grace. The result is the true-life song of someone who dares to believe in a seemingly impossible dream, without forgetting that it’s work getting there. Frontman Caleb Chapman illuminates the heart of the song, an illumination made possible by how it came to life: “Hummingbird” started as a simple shove-off strum that just had to be played over and over again. 

At the same time, words were attempted to be wrapped around an internal idea. One day, when a hummingbird momentarily hovered in front of him, it was an eye-opening experience, one that did not seem like chance but confirmation. His contemplation on surveying songs is to pursue those that sparkle disappointingly, and deciding to let some go adds even more weight, situating the track in lived experience rather than quiet speculation. “Hummingbird” is, in the end, a reminder to keep going when it feels like staying still takes everything you have. In that respect, it perfectly sums up the ethos of Colony House: resilient yet reflective, and quietly inspirational.

Connect with Colony House on Instagram || Facebook || Twitter