THISTLE SIFTER

track-list:
Anthropocene
Ghost Acres
Atop A Horrid Hill
One Fleeting Glance
Endling
Weightless
Et In Arcadia Ego
Forever The Optimist

additional guitars by Nils Breunese
drums by Koen Klarenbeek
production by Tom Broshuis & Pete Barnes
drums recorded by Roy Rosendaal
mixed by Roy Rosendaal at Studio Ruisendaal
mastered by Pier-Durk Hogeterp
video by Robert Smeekes

discography:

Cinematic post-rock project Thistle Sifter returns on 6 February 2026 with its most ambitious and far-reaching work yet:
‘Forever The Optimist‘, a sweeping eight-track album that confronts the existential fallout of humanity’s relentless pursuit of growth at any cost.
Where earlier albums ‘A Spectral Moon‘ (2022) and ‘Circles‘ (2024) delved deeply into personal healing, loss, and acceptance, ‘Forever The Optimist‘ looks outward.
Inspired by writers Jay Griffiths, George Monbiot, Omar El Akkad, and Siddharth Kara, the album examines land exploitation, animal rights, cobalt mining in the Congo, climate collapse, neo-liberal systems, and the media’s role in enabling atrocities.
Each composition is paired with its own thematic visual piece, expanding the album into a full-bodied audiovisual experience.
Thistle Sifter is the vision of English musician Pete Barnes, based in Utrecht (NL).
The project emerged from a period of disarray after a severe cycling accident in November 2020 forced Barnes to halt his life and reassess everything he once took for granted.
Injuries and isolation brought on a sense of dislocation – one that would later shape Thistle Sifter’s ethereal blend of serene post-rock, spacious synth ambience, evolving soundscapes, and lo-fi folk textures.
Since its inception, Thistle Sifter has captivated audiences across Europe with immersive live shows, performing at AFAS Live in Amsterdam (supporting Sigur Rós), Le Guess Who? in Utrecht, and Roadburn Festival in Tilburg.
The project has shared stages with Oh Hiroshima, Midas Fall, Törzs, and Mother of Millions.
The current live lineup features Barnes (guitar & synths), Nils Breunese (guitar), Alex Rushmer (bass & synths), and Koen Klarenbeek (drums).
A full-band audiovisual release show for ‘Forever The Optimist‘ will take place 7 February 2026 at dBs in Utrecht, followed by a spring tour across the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria.
Ahead of the album, Thistle Sifter has unveiled the first single, ‘One Fleeting Glance‘.
Described by Idioteq as
“opening the path toward the new album… circling around recovery, reassessment, and whatever comes after you’re thrown off course without warning,”
the track offers a rare moment of light – an echo of hope and acceptance shaped by the years of upheaval following Barnes’ accident.
‘Forever The Optimist‘ arrives digitally, on vinyl, and on CD on 6 February 2026, marking the next chapter in Thistle Sifter’s ever-expanding cinematic universe.