Downes Braide Association (DBA), the studio collaboration of Geoff Downes and Chris Braide, is set to release its sixth studio album, 'Trauma', on September 25 via Cherry Red Records.
The album returns to the expansive musical DNA of the project's classic work, featuring long-form pieces alongside melodic rock and cinematic songwriting that has defined the duo's sound.
Chris Braide explains, "These songs emerged from the cracks.
'Trauma' is about the ghosts we inherit, the wounds we hide, and the light that still finds its way through.
In the end, it is not an album about suffering, but survival.
'Trauma' isn't an album about defeat — it's about what happens after.
It's about carrying your scars with dignity, refusing to be diminished, and remembering that kindness and perseverance ultimately outlast cruelty and fear." Geoff Downes adds: "Working with Chris on our DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION albums is always a great inspirational and joyous experience for me.
In 'Trauma', our sixth studio album, we have dug deep into our respective layers and reservoirs of emotion, a theme of darkness followed by light — something we both could relate to.
And in particular on this album, we have explored numerous diverse influences characterizing the contrast of these polarized emotions.
For instance, our epic long track 'Lake Of Memories' begins with a quasi-classical bombastic intro and immediately jumps into a fast trance-like up-tempo techno workout — it's pomp-rock straight into pop-rock! And it's Chris at his absolute best, grabbing my ideas and working them into some kind of intricate musical kaleidoscope.
I think it's what contributes to our uniqueness, and this album is one we are immensely proud of." The album features a full lineup of guest contributors, including Marc Almond on 'Juliet', Emmi on 'Love And Loss', and narration by Delilah Barrett.
The late David Longdon appears through flute performances recorded during 2018 sessions.
Andy Partridge, Barney Ashton-Bullock, and Dean Johnson each contribute original poems to the album booklet.
The album cover, created by Roger, features a stark painting with a chink of light and a semi-concealed 'wise' owl — a signature element of the artist's style.
'Trauma' includes the following tracks: 01.
Hello, Hello (4:57), 02.
Trauma (8:20), 03.
King Of Karma (4:53), 04.
Wonderland (5:12), 05.
Love And Loss (3:16), 06.
I Wish I'd Known (4:11), 07.
Do You Remember? (4:54), 08.
Juliet (2:24), 09.
Lake Of Memories (14:29), 10.
Wherever You Are Now (5:44).
The band lineup remains consistent with Dave Bainbridge (guitars), Andy Hodge (bass), Ash Soan (drums), and additional drums from Tim Weller." DBA has previously released five studio albums: 'Pictures Of You' (2012), 'Suburban Ghosts' (2015), 'Skyscraper Souls' (2017), 'Halcyon Hymns' (2021), 'Celestial Songs' (2023), as well as a live album 'Live In England' (2019)."