Five years after their debut, which coincided with the onset of a global crisis, New York-based band Activity returns with their third album, A Thousand Years In Another Way. Released into a world still grappling with uncertainty and upheaval, the record serves as both a reflection of turbulent times and a personal exploration of inner turmoil. The music channels the disorienting chaos of 2020 while offering a meditative space to process modern anxieties.

The album draws inspiration from unexpected corners of musical history, including ambient jazz pioneers like Miles Davis. Guitarist and vocalist Travis Johnson reveals how works such as In a Silent Way shaped his approach to sound—focusing not on direct imitation but on evoking a sense of mystery and emotional depth. This influence manifests in the way the band crafts immersive textures, blending noise and melody to create something that feels both unsettling and strangely soothing.

Beyond its sonic qualities, the album delves into deeply personal themes, particularly around mental health and self-perception. Johnson discusses his experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder and how music has become a therapeutic tool, allowing him to confront intrusive thoughts through repetition and improvisation. The record also touches on broader philosophical ideas, inspired by literature and theology, reflecting on power, deception, and the possibility of redemption amidst darkness.

Despite its heavy subject matter, the final impression left by the album is one of quiet resilience. It doesn’t offer easy answers or escape, but rather acknowledges pain and fear while affirming the enduring presence of hope. In a time when the world often feels fragmented and overwhelming, the music becomes a mirror and a refuge—an invitation to face the unknown with courage and curiosity, embracing life’s complexity without losing faith in the possibility of light within it.