windings are set to return in 2016 with new live dates, festival appearances and a brand new collection of songs that will comprise the bulk of their fourth studio album, Be Honest and Fear Not, due out this Autumn. The time spent between their last full album, the Choice Music Prize-nominated I Am Not The Crow, has been spent well – releasing a split record with Dublin indie outfit Land Lovers and collaborating with fellow mavericks Rusangano/Family and Naive Ted (who also recorded, produced and mixed ‘Helicopters’ with windings).

The new double A-side set from windings – ‘Stray Dogs’/’Helicopters’ conveys a sense of foreboding of what may lie ahead with Be Honest and Fear Not. Just when you thought you had windings figured out, they release something as dark and difficult to penetrate as this. To date windings have taken listeners on a musical journey in the truest sense of the expression. Starting out as the solo project of former giveamanakick frontman, Steve Ryan, windings has gathered like-minded souls over the years, culminating in what was the band’s pinnacle to date in I Am Not The Crow.

The previous album showcased the command of myriad musical avenues and instrumentation that windings have in their arsenal. Continually adding to a wide range of instruments incorporated into what is a very unique sounding Irish band, windings ambitions to grow as songwriters and musicians is as much evident as their ability to confound. Dark themes are at play on the new double-A side (“Listen briefly, these words are ones that I’ll regret . . .”) and the band have eschewed any pop sensibilities as they go in search of a more saturnine and desolate sound.

‘Stray Dogs’/’Helicopters’  is a tantalising peek at what is in store later in the year from windings– a glimpse through a crack in the door of what will undoubtedly prove to be a very enigmatic album.