Post War Plans by Debris Discs album artwork

Multiple copies of Post War Plans album by Debris Discs shown falling to show front, rear and vinyls

Background

Post War Plans is the debut album from AnalogueTrash artist, Debris Discs aka James Eary. It is inspired by recently discovered letters home from James’ Grandpa to his brother during WW2. The letters span from his first posting in Egypt in 1942, through to VE night in 1945.

We initially explored four different concepts for the album artwork. Such was the beauty and the flow of the writing itself along with accompanying paraphernalia such as censor stamps, airmail icons, and paper textures, we settled on letting the actual letters shine through and accompany their transformation into song form.

We used the colours found in the letters and envelopes themselves as a base colour palette. Additional graphics used colour references from the camouflage found on British military vehicles from the period of the letters.

Montage of letters and envelopes from World War 2 which formed inspiration for the Post War Plans album from Debris Discs

Close up of a World War 2 letter which inspired the Post War Plans album by Debris Discs

Postage paid stamp showing date 13th Feb 1943

Colour scheme from British World War 2 vehicles used as colour references for Post War Plans album artwork

Post War Plans album front cover with sleeve and side 1 of vinyl sticking out from the right hand side

Result

As James says: ‘My grandpa’s letters lit the fire for this record, so it made complete sense to centre the artwork around his words. When making Post War Plans I wasn’t particularly interested in history lessons or nostalgia. What excited me was the idea of using these incredible stimulus materials to create something new. Gavin’s design concept really embraced this approach.’

Post War Plans album artwork front cover

Post War Plans vinyl labels Sides 1 and 2 side by side

Two copies of Post War Plans album laid out so you can see the front, rear and both sides of the vinyl

Post War Live

In 2024, Debris Discs released Post War Live, a live recording of five specially reconstructed songs from Post War Plans. A digital only release, we set about creating a variation of the original artwork, again using the colours found in the original letters. The result is much the same as the live recordings in that it is broken down and reconstructed from the original.