London-born, Bristol-based composer and producer Message To Bears released his latest offering – a single titled ‘Open Lungs’ – on March 28th, 2025 via Lost Birds Records. The serene single premiered on acclaimed tastemaker CLASH Magazine. With over 200 million streams across platforms, Message To Bears has caught the attention of BBC Radio presenters Nitin Sawhney, Guy Garvey, Tom Robinson, BBC Gloucestershire, BBC Wiltshire 104.3, BBC Somerset, BBC Radio Bristol, NPR and KEXP 90.3 FM’s Pacific Notions, and seen support from publications such as Vulture, Stereogum, Teen Vogue, CLASH Magazine, NOTION, Music Radar, The Line of Best Fit, and Mixmag, to name but a few.
He has supported Nils Frahm at Oxford’s historic Holywell Music Room and Olafur Arnalds at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, performed at Green Man Festival ahead of legends like Mumford and Sons, Flaming Lips, Beirut, The Tallest Man on Earth and Efterklang. His work also appeared in the iconic game Life is Strange, alongside Mogwai, Local Natives, Foals, José González, Alt-J, and Bright Eyes, and has had his music featured in Netflix hits Virgin River and Warrior Nun.
Message To Bears is the musical alias of English composer and multi-instrumentalist Jerome Alexander, renowned for crafting emotive, cinematic soundscapes that blend ambient, folk, post-rock, and electronic influences. Since his 2007 debut EP1, which sold out instantly, Alexander has released several acclaimed albums, including Departures (2009), Folding Leaves (2012), Maps, Carved From Tides, and Constants. Known for his lush arrangements and atmospheric style, his work has been featured in films, TV, and advertisements worldwide. Influenced by a range of artists from Explosions In the Sky to Bon Iver to Ry X to José González, Message To Bears crafts a beautiful blend of Folktronica and Modern Classical music, a sound that is sure to ensnare fans of Cinematic Orchestra, Novo Amor and Sufjan Stevens.
‘Open Lungs’, aptly named, is a sonic hug that guides the listener through a journey from a state of tension to one of grounded composure through harnessing the power of your breath – a simple yet often-overlooked salve for the stresses of living in the 21st century. The song begins, tender yet tense, with soft, droning pads, smatterings of percussion and haunting vocals. Vast, evocative and soothing, the track builds in hope and intensity with spacious yet intricate reverb-soaked instrumentation carrying the refrain “My lungs on fire”. The song is a beautiful ode to expansion and embodiment – a therapeutic and worthwhile listen.
Speaking about the track, Message To Bears shared: “‘Open Lungs’ is a reflection on the connection between breath and anxiety. I’ve always been obsessed with the role that my lungs play in how I feel. As the instrumentation increases, I wanted this to reflect the idea of being able to breathe properly again.”
