The vast, sweeping world of cinematic post-rock has always been a vessel for the profound, but Pete Barnes—the mastermind behind the Utrecht-based project Thistle Sifter—is shifting the lens from the internal to the global. With the release of his latest single, 'Ghost Acres', Barnes offers a haunting, symphonic precursor to his upcoming album, 'Forever The Optimist', scheduled for arrival on Friday, 6th February 2026.
While Thistle Sifter’s previous outings, 'A Spectral Moon' and 'Circles', were deeply rooted in Barnes' personal navigation of health and history, his new material pivots toward the existential. 'Ghost Acres' takes its intellectual cues from George Monbiot’s provocative book 'Regenesis', even weaving a poignant quote from the author into the track’s fabric. The concept is a sobering one: 'Ghost Acres' represent the hidden vastness of land required elsewhere to sustain the consumption habits of developed nations.
Musically, the track is a masterclass in atmospheric tension, but it is the visual accompaniment that truly drives the message home. Collaborating with Dutch artist Nici Metselaar, Thistle Sifter has produced a video that serves as a visceral confrontation with the origins of our daily purchases. The imagery doesn’t shy away from the ecological toll of industrialised farming, illustrating the disconnect between the pristine supermarket shelf and the environmental upheaval occurring thousands of miles away.
"Nowadays most consumers are not aware of where the majority of their pre-packaged goods come from and the suffering and environmental damage that is caused as a result of their production," Barnes notes. "We obviously need agriculture to survive, but it is clear that we need to go about it in a different way."
'Forever The Optimist' marks Barnes’ most expansive production yet, promising a blend of orchestral depth and intricate post-rock textures. The record will be self-released, with FREIA Music handling the physical CD and vinyl editions, and distribution via Dutch Music Works.
Fans won't have to wait long to experience the project’s new scale in person. A full-band audiovisual showcase is set for Saturday, 7th February at dBs in Utrecht, kicking off a string of dates across Europe. For those seeking music that challenges the mind as much as the ears, Thistle Sifter is tilling very fertile ground.
Dig into the new single today, and for more, catch Thistle Sifter on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube,
