After coming off their Model Citizen EP in 2018, Texas-based band Velvet Skyline decided their next move was to create a full-length album that spoke to their community.

Their move to Northern Texas a few years ago had them pleasantly surprised at the support system amongst its musicians. Not only did they guide one another as creatives, but they established a welcoming environment for those who identify as women, non-binary and LGBTQ+.

As a band who is partially comprised of members of the LGBTQ+ community, finding this network of creatives gave them the chance to create an album that helped heal their wounds and speak to their peers.

What We Have In Common is about realizing that feeling alone in any sense is a figment of the imagination. It is a feeling that manifests itself during difficult moments and can distort reality, but the truth is that everyone faces adversity. Those struggles are shared and valid, and no one is ever truly alone.

The first single off the LP, “Circles”, fully encompasses the feel of the album, according to lead vocalist Taylor Seerden. The song ushers in the progressive- and grunge-influenced sound of the album.

“This album was more collaborative with every member of the band sharing what they think would work best for each song,” Seerden said. “We’re very collaborative and we really try to make a point that there is no ‘leader’ to the band. We’re a family and we’re going to keep it that way.”

The album art was inspired by a painting they saw on Instagram that showed an individual with their face blurred by various colors of smudged paint. They recreated what they saw with artist Kierra van Roots.

“We thought that would be a cool concept with two people because it blends them together, which represents What We Have In Common,” Seerden said.