Ready the Astronaut

Ready the Astronaut serves as a thematic sequel to 2018's Mission Bell, continuing William Fitzsimmons' exploration of the fallout from his second divorce. Recorded largely in his home studio, the album leans into the 'astronaut' metaphor to describe the feeling of being untethered from one's life. Sonically, it maintains his established indie-folk aesthetic - characterized by double-tracked whispered vocals and intricate acoustic guitar - but introduces more expansive 'space-folk' elements, including analog synths and more prominent piano arrangements. The inclusion of tracks like 'Daedalus, My Father' and 'Icarus' anchors the record in Greek mythology, using these archetypes to process generational trauma and the hubris of love. Critics noted the album's increased production polish compared to his earlier lo-fi work, while praising his ability to maintain a sense of claustrophobic intimacy even as the arrangements grew more complex.