Message To Bears Unveils Nature-Inspired Serenity with New Single ‘River Calls’

London-born, Bristol-based composer Message To Bears, the musical alias of Jerome Alexander, dropped his latest single ‘River Calls’ on June 20th, 2025, via Lost Birds Records. This release marks the final preview of his forthcoming album Tired Eyes, Waking Hearts, slated for July 18th. Over the past decade, Message To Bears has carved out a significant presence in the music world, boasting over 200 million streams and sharing stages with heavyweights like Nils Frahm and Olafur Arnalds. His performances at Green Man Festival alongside acts like Mumford and Sons and Flaming Lips, combined with airplay on BBC Radio 6 and placements in Netflix shows like Virgin River and the game Life is Strange, highlight his knack for blending ambient, folk, post-rock, and electronic vibes into something truly captivating.

For ambient artists, influences aren’t just background noise—they’re the lifeblood that shapes their sound, and Message To Bears nails this in ‘River Calls’. A week after its release, it’s clear how he’s pulled from the likes of Explosions In the Sky, Bon Iver, and José González to craft something authentic. The track kicks off with a gently picked guitar that nods to Bon Iver’s raw folk roots, then layers in a reverb-soaked choral motif that could rival Explosions In the Sky’s soaring crescendos. Solemn strings and a understated four-on-the-floor beat—echoing José González’s rhythmic precision—blend with shakers and twinkling pads, building a soundscape that’s vast yet personal. Where lesser artists might lean too hard into mimicry, Message To Bears uses these touchstones as a springboard, weaving them into a cohesive, original tapestry that’s stood out to listeners over the past seven days.

Now, a few days since its debut, ‘River Calls’ has proven to be a quiet storm in the ambient scene. Message To Bears himself put it best: “influenced by the primal pull of nature, building, swelling and finally offering release and quiet comfort in uncertain times.” Fans have latched onto its meditative flow, praising how it balances organic warmth with electronic shimmer. The way it rises and falls—like a river carving its path—feels both grounding and uplifting, a testament to its natural inspiration. As buzz builds for Tired Eyes, Waking Hearts, this single’s early impact suggests Message To Bears is gearing up to deliver an album that’ll linger long after the last note fades.