The Sunday Walker

Released in late 2019, The Sunday Walker serves as a companion piece to Villagers' 2018 full-length 'The Art of Losing Control', though it leans further into the pastoral and ambient-folk territories explored in O'Brien's earlier work. The EP consists of four tracks that highlight O'Brien's evolution as an arranger, moving away from the more direct indie-rock leanings of his middle-period work toward a sophisticated, chamber-pop sensibility. The recording is characterized by its high-fidelity intimacy, featuring 'dry' vocal captures paired with 'wet', reverb-heavy instrumental flourishes. Critically, it was viewed as a showcase for O'Brien's ability to create immersive atmospheres within a short runtime. The final track, 'Note To Self (For Michael)', is particularly notable for its dedication and its minimalist, meditative structure, marking it as one of the most stripped-back and vulnerable moments in the Villagers discography.