"The Ship" is an album released by English musician and songwriter, Brian Eno, in 2016. As a pioneering figure in ambient music, Eno continues to innovate with this concept album. The Ship is comprised of four songs that make up a total of 47 minutes of music.
The album is unique in its structure, with the title track "The Ship" being a 21-minute ambient piece that Eno has likened to a 'musical novel'. The track mixes slow-moving electronic soundscapes with Eno’s own treated vocals.
Eno stated that the album was inspired by the First World War and the sinking of the Titanic. The album notably has a somber and introspective tone, that is believed to translate the idea of humanity's erroneous faith in technological progress.
"The Ship" also includes a cover of The Velvet Underground's "I'm Set Free," reconfigured as a positive anthem of sorts. This song concludes the album by offering a sense of uplift after the preceding tense tracks.
The second song, "Fickle Sun" is divided into three distinct sections: "Fickle Sun", "The Hour Is Thin" and "I’m Set Free". The first part features a drone-like electronic composition, the second part is a spoken-word piece performed by actor Peter Serafinowicz, and the third section is a cover of Velvet Underground’s song "I'm Set Free."
Considered by many as a thoughtful and reflective piece, "The Ship" blends Eno's experimental style with thematic cohesion, making it a critically acclaimed addition to his discography. It has also allowed Eno to further his exploration of ambient music by melding it with narrative storytelling.
