Themes

Pacific Northwest duo THEMES specialize in densely atmospheric soundscapes that evoke a strong cinematic quality. Although their initial recordings, which began with the 2007 debut War Over the Great Plains, featured dramatic indie rock compositions, the pair later pursued a more layered aesthetic aligned with post-rock and dream pop on projects such as the 2019 album Togetherlessness. The two-part Truncations from 2023 comprises suspenseful ambient instrumentals.

Kelsey Crawford and Jacy McIntosh, the duo's core members, trace their origins to the rock and hip-hop communities of Minneapolis. Crawford previously performed with the indie rock outfit Vox Vermillion, which issued a full-length on Rhymesayers Entertainment in 2005, whereas McIntosh participated in the third wave ska ensemble the Siren Six! and the post-punk-oriented End Transmission. THEMES tracked their inaugural album, War Over the Great Plains, in Minneapolis before issuing it via Audio Liberation Society in 2007; that lineup embraced a more anthemic and theatrical approach recalling Dresden Dolls or Arcade Fire. The group followed with the 2008 single "It's Not Hopeless to Survive" and collaborated on the track "The Soldier Trade" alongside rapper P.O.S. The Phantom, their first album captured in Portland, Oregon, emerged in 2011, while Loveweapons, helmed by producer Brandon Eggleston, surfaced in 2013.

THEMES contributed to hip-hop projects from Grayskul and Onry Ozzborn before steering their music toward a darker, increasingly post-rock-oriented path on the 2017 single "Stars in a Fake Sky." The full-length Togetherlessness from 2019 and the 2020 EP Endginning sustained the duo's progression into more experimental, cinematic territory. Truncations Vol. 1 and 2, fully instrumental sets drawing inspiration from space exploration, arrived in 2023.