Beyond the mandated distances and the torrents of time, we all have been searching for that special sign in our lives. A symbol that things are going to work out alright. A signal from on high that there is some sort of greater purpose, a greater design. A splash of light from the throes of impenetrable night that better and brighter days are indeed possible. So many of these kernels of hope we hold tight to, through trying times both past and present, our psyches and spirits continuously asking for and seeking that vestige of illumination that can christen us as a collective society in a bath of a glow like we have never before known. And when the world seems to be at its worst, perhaps it is this concept and belief in an optimism that can possibly see us through the throngs of perpetual adversity and challenges.

Subscribing to this universal construct of unbridled hope are the northern dreamers at Model Clocks who present the much awaited (and aptly titled) EP It’s Going to Be OK. The group of Simon Lock of Terrace, Chad McLeod, vocalist Jane Lauren Storey-English and guitar ace Dan Dall’Acqua together create a chorus of indefatigable inspiration and light. After pandemic related delays and navigating remote collaborations and the like, Model Clocks gives the world a work of unrelenting joy. Together they raise a banner of determination, ballads about navigating love, dream journals on the journeys of searching for meaning, the pursuit of better things and combining analogous eras into a synthesis that lends itself toward creative stylistic hybrids of the celestial sort.

It's Going to Be OK begins with the triumphant title track, a song that sounds like the end of a magnificent motion picture right before the credits are cued to roll. Model Clocks cast a beam of hope for this otherwise hopeless and seemingly helpless time. From the emotively charged keys, galloping percussion and celestial atmospheres that the band commands: visions ascend and descend like vapors and their connection between the heavens and our humble planes of earth. "Love Runs Out" explores the understated 90s catalogues that contain the blueprints for dreamy inflected dance tracks that offers surprises at every corner of the sequencing. From sections that burst with gilded guitars and percussive change-ups, the mood moves from pensive to portraits of unlimited possibilities in a world that is rebuilding itself from the rubble.

The production is again witnessed on full display on "Manchester Square" that strikes the mind's fancy as possibly a favorite top radio hit on affectionate observations and adoration on what was and what could be. Model Clocks close out the party with "The Final Dance" that leans into the group's penchant for penning perfect dance pop while adhering to an intuitive and almost academic approach to ambience. Spanning the gamut from LED-lit ballroom beats to the mind illuminating synth sustains heard on JRPGs from throwback PS1 titles; Mind Clocks has the magic and majesty to turn back the hands of time toward arcane eras, whilst simultaneously entering toward the new creative thresholds that revolve around the sacred auras of the ubiquitous and esoteric.

Simon Lock of Model Clocks/Terrace provided the following introduction:

The EP encapsulates a sentiment of the youth. The hope, the challenges, the rivers of emotion and the feelings that surge through the veins of the new generation. Encased amongst lush beats and deep sounds, vocalist Jane managed to rise above the sounds and make this project soar to new heights. Combined with some guitar mastery courtesy of Dan, the effort began to really come into it’s own.

With me being so far away from these guys, it was difficult at times to analyze the tracks I was being sent. But Chad and I work so well together and he trusts my judgment so I was given carte blanche to shape these tracks into what they are today. This was primarily his project, I was absent for the writing and recording process, but I stuck my heels in for the production/mixing aspect. It’s where I prefer to live these days. He had these beautifully crafted ideas and songs and soooo many parts. I mean, far more parts than you hear on the final product. It was my job to make it into a finished product. Jane has always blown us away with her talent. We believe she has the juice to hold the top spot for up and coming vocalists of this generation. And Dan is a craft stalwart. He is Mr. Licks. Such a talented guitarist. In the end, and after hours and hours of production and refinement, we are so proud of everyone that worked on this project and of course the final product.

And we feel that in the end, It’s Gonna Be OK.

Model Clocks’ own Simon Lock continued our correspondence in the following reflective exchange:

The roads from Terrace to Model Clocks: meditations on what was discovered during the Terrace years, the creative and personal impact and how it lead to Model Clocks.

When I began doing work as Terrace, my lifelong friend and very talented musician in his own right, Chad McLeod voiced interest in doing something together. I jumped at this opportunity as a I was always very impressed with his musical ability. With Terrace it's a pop-tastic approach with very little subtlety. And we sat down to make what would be Model Clocks, at my kitchen table in a townhouse in Vancouver, we just started making more obscure late night sounds that would be something we would have loved to hear after a night out at a club. It came easy, we went forth to create a soundscape, our debut, MABEL, this concept still perpetuates in our music today. And with Chad's deep understanding of music theory and my ear for eerie late night noises we began Model Clocks.

Notes on how your own process has changed during the time.

It's always been a challenge writing these releases. We live in different cities and both have a lot going on in our lives. Almost, all of the time it starts with Chad having an idea for a song. He will build it in segments. My main role is to dissect these parts and form them into a song. The process works great for us and we both have the room to create the sounds apart with freedom and then come together to work out the final product.

Highlights from the Terrace era that were formative.

I think just me being able to watch someone else create beautiful songs and me just be behind the desk and shape it into a proper track was as close as I'll get to being Brian Eno. Sometimes he provides me with a metric tonne of music and I have to sift thru it and get the best parts. I love this part. And I get to make fun of him for trying to be Bach.

Insights on the inception of Model Clocks.

It was a conversation in our love for late night music. To create the soundtrack of the post party. That's always been our theme. Back from a night of chaos. What we would want to hear. Bam, it's this.

Further thoughts on the collaborative process at work with Model Clocks.

We more or less just take it as it comes. Chad is definitely the driving force, creatively, behind Model Clocks. I don't think it could work any other way. I tend to write simple pop songs, whereas he can write beautiful, ethereal songs that can invoke emotion without words. And with this latest release, bringing Jane and Dan into the mix was stilt that held this pier up. Break it down it works like this. We wanna make a cake. He folds the ingredients in, I bake it and ice it.

Optimism in the face of bleakness and the importance of reminding our inner unrest that “It’s Going to Be Okay”.

The sentiment of the song is the complications and the hope of the youth. It's the face of a new generation. It's masked behind the emotions of someone having problems in their relationship. To say it is adolescent would be to dismiss the meaning. The theme could apply to anyone that is evaluating their romantic relationships. And the conclusion comes from the inner belief that come what may, and whatever the outcome, It's Gonna Be Ok.

The artistic statement and plan going forward for Model Clocks.

That's the best part. We simply don't know. We make music under the weirdest of circumstances and without time constraints. We never have a plan. I'd love to play this live and some of our back catalogue as well, but the distance and time prove to be an issue. But you never.... as I say, Just Say Maybe.

Mantras for 2024.

Go out. Have fun. Get oysters. See the world. Stay open.

Model Clocks’ It’s Going to Be OK is available now everwhere.