Rituals is the second studio album by British electropop band Fenech-Soler. It was released on 25 September 2013 by Warner Bros. Records and B-Unique Records. This album marked Fenech-Soler's major label debut. Their previous record was released independently. The album features the band' s follow-up to the band's 2012âÂÂ13 singles "All I Know", "Magnetic" and "Last Forever".
A special edition of the album with a new track listing was released a year later on 25 August 2014. This edition replaced the band's first full-length US release, (which was subsequently removed from online services). It features four tracks from their previous self-titled debut studio album.
The artwork for Rituals features a photograph titled "Star Bows" taken by South African professional photographer Andrew McGibbon. The image depicts a horse named Star, illuminated by Strobe lighting, in a bowing pose. The photograph is part of McGibbon's collection "All the Wild Horses," which was originally released online in April 2012. The artist statement for the work elaborates:
<blockquote>"For thousands of years the horse has been mankind's closest ally. The horse made travel and development possible. We tethered, weighted and reigned them. We captured, stabled and trained them.
Ever willing, the horse was the magnificent tool of manâÂÂs ingenuity. The horse is a beast of legend, taking on its own character, personality, emotion and mythology.
However, with the advent of the steam engine the horse was made obsolete, and now they are resigned to the realm of shows and races, a world of equestrian sport, a mere shadow of the beastâÂÂs former glory.
All the Wild Horses is a tribute to the beast that has made much of what we call life possible. The images are unique and have a style to them reminiscent of the portraiture of the rich and famous. The artist has attempted, and succeeded, to show a sense of personality and emotion â sadness in some cases and pride in others.
Painstakingly lit, this body of work is about the horse itself to which we all feel a connection, whether it's obvious or deep down in our collective subconscious. There is a sense of awe that this beast inspires in each and everyone of us".</blockquote>
â Ray Lamontagne.
Adapted from Rituals liner notes.