Work

Tempus is the debut album from Optic Drift — a creative partnership between two brothers drawing on a lifetime of shared influences. While the album was written and recorded in 2025, many of the ideas behind it have been evolving for decades, quietly taking shape until the right moment arrived.

The title, Tempus (Latin for "time"), speaks to this long arc — a convergence of sketches, sounds, and memories brought together into one cohesive whole. The album is entirely instrumental, and each track title is a subtle nod to films the brothers grew up with — mostly from the '80s and '90s. These aren't overt references, but quiet tributes: familiar to those who know, mysterious to those who don't.

Musically, Tempus is rooted in rock but draws influence from many places. There's a strong bass-driven undercurrent — inspired in part by Dirk Lance's punchy, melodic lines from early Incubus records — paired with the introspective textures of Radiohead and the expansive atmospheres of Tycho. Hints of funk and jazz emerge throughout, giving the record its groove and warmth. The result is a debut that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking — a layered, time-woven soundscape that invites repeated listens.