Singer-songwriter Alec Duckart, who performs as Searows, has released his sophomore album, Death in the Business of Whaling, which stretches his sound into a more immersive experience than ever before. Duckart rose to fame online with followers comparing his voice to artists like Pheobe Bridgers, but quickly carved his own space in the industry with his heartfelt singles and EPs.
His newest album, released on January 23rd, 2026, commits to melancholy, with thought-provoking lyrics, beautiful acoustic melodies, and an ability to transport listeners to the Oregon coastline where Duckart resides. This album tackles heavy themes and absolutely requires a specific headspace for a full listen through.
Track one, “Belly of the Whale,” introduces the album’s overarching theme of being “lost at sea,” a concept reinforced by the album cover, title, and photography. It opens with Duckart’s signature soft acoustic guitar and vocal driven arrangement while exploring the feeling of being trapped in a low point of life. Each track flows beautifully into the next, supported by an atmospheric sound and layered emotional complexity.
The standout track on the album, “Dearly Missed,” surprises listeners by departing from Duckart’s typical indie/folk sound. Replacing his signature acoustic style with electric guitar, strong vocals, and heavier instrumentation, the track marks a notable shift in energy. While this sixth track is still rooted in folk-inspired storytelling, it leans towards a shoe-gaze style – an unexpected direction that demonstrates his ability to reject the categorization of other indie rock formalities.
The themes of this album are vulnerable, exploring fractured relationships, mortality, not living up to expectations, and the emotional exhaustion of surviving. However, the last track, “Geese,” brings the album full circle with a renewed sense of perseverance. Referencing Mary Oliver’s poem, “Wild Geese,” Duckart emphasizes self-acceptance over the need to be “good,” and provides a reflective conclusion to the album.
Death in the Business of Whaling feels as though you are sitting in a coastal fog for all forty minutes – it’s haunting, it’s melancholic, and it’s a beautiful immersion into Alec Duckart’s writing. This album deserves 5/5 stars as a fully realized and cohesive project from Searows.
