US dark‑folk act Xasthur have issued their new body of work, Open To Misinterpretation, on Prophecy Productions.

Xasthur's mastermind Scott Conner explains that the new release represents a deeper push into his singular creative world: "With this album I push deeper into what I am doing, plain and simple. I hear something in my head, find it, and then search for the rest of it. I'm only in this to improve, to find sounds and moods that I haven't heard before. I make damn sure that it does not sound like anything else. I don't need a costume or some other image around it — anyone who is truly themselves should be spectacle enough".

The album's title reflects a long‑standing reality of Conner's work: his music is often misunderstood, sometimes even by those who follow him closely. Rather than resist this, Conner has learned to accept it — a stance that echoes Albert Camus' notion that the absurdity of existence is best met with acceptance. As a chronicler of the darker corners of the American dream, Conner embraces this idea in his own way.

This acceptance does not signal stagnation. Open To Misinterpretation presents a more refined version of what Xasthur already does. Conner continues to hone his expression, searching for new sounds and moods. His songwriting has become both more detailed and harder to predict. Bass lines are more prominent and technically intricate; a wider range of guitar tunings opens new harmonic spaces; and drum programming now forms a serious structural component of the compositions.

The production has been noticeably clarified, yet Conner still aims for a recording process that feels live, organic and real. The album also carries the imprint of the stage: many of these songs have already been performed during Xasthur's touring across both sides of the Atlantic, meaning audience reactions have subtly shaped the final versions. Link