Japanese quartet CHAI’s new album, WINK, is out today on Sub Pop. In conjunction with its release, they present a new video for one of its tracks, “IN PINK” (feat. Mndsgn). “IN PINK” is in line with a previously released string of fun singles and aesthetically pleasing videos, and is no exception to CHAI’s vibrant sound and visuals. Filled with grooving synth and bass, it champions the affecting and exciting songwriting seen across WINK. The accompanying video, directed by Hideto Hotta, takes the song’s title quite literally, as CHAI appears in various places around Japan while dressed in the color themselves.
CHAI elaborates: “Each and everyone of us has our own color, and each of those colors possess their own kind of power! PINK is a strong yet gentle color, one that has the ability to make any and everyone shine! No matter who or how old you are! CHAI will continue to move forward, alongside the limitless color PINK! It’s that type of song! Enjoy it 〜♡”
“On ‘Wink,’ the scrappiness of Chai’s early records is peeled back to reveal a dreamier collection of melodies” - New York Times
“They traded in their maximalist pop for a more groove-friendly sound, inverting the CHAI formula to great effect.” - The New Yorker
“Delving into everything from twilight ballads to hyperactive chiptune, third album WINK explodes the idea that CHAI have any genre limitations, proving the four-piece can glide between styles off the strength of their songwriting” - Pitchfork
“challenging your expectations is a key tenet of this band.” - NPR Music
“this is the year CHAI breaks through like never before.” - Complex
“Totally original, completely unselfconscious and wonderfully catchy, WINK is one of those rare albums that you can throw on anytime and let it guide you on the journey it has laid out before you.” - Exclaim
Flock of Dimes is thrilled to present “Two Heads,” a pair of NoonChorus concerts in support of Head of Roses, her acclaimed new album. Performances will be held on Thursday, May 20th and 27th, 2021, beginning at 9 pm EST each night, and feature selections from the album performed with a full band, including members of Mountain Man and Sylvan Esso. Fans who purchase tickets for both nights will get to hear Head of Roses performed live and in its entirety.
Flock of Dimes live band for the “Two Heads” performances will feature guests musicians Nick Sanborn (Made of Oak, Sylvan Esso), Amelia Randall Meath (Mountain Man, Sylvan Esso), Alexandra Sauser-Monnig (Mountain Man, Daughter of Swords), Molly Sarlé (Mountain Man), Matthew McCaughan (Bon Iver), Joe Westerland (Megafaun), Alan Good Parker (Natalie Prass, Matthew E. White), and Michael Libramento (Hiss Golden Messenger, Dr. Dog, Floating Action).
Later today, Wednesday, May 19th, Flock of Dimes’ Jenn Wasner will answer fans questions during a r/indieheads AMA at 11 am PST / 2 pm EST/ 7 pm BST.
Flock of Dimes’ Head of Roses, which features “Two,” “Price of Blue,” “Hard Way,” and “One More Hour,” is available now on CD/CS/DSPs worldwide through Sub Pop. The album was produced by Nick Sanborn (Sylvan Esso) and Wasner at Betty’s in Chapel Hill, NC, engineered by Bella Blasko with additional engineering by Sanborn, mixed by Ari Picker and Blasko, and mastered by Huntley Miller. The album features appearances from guitarist Meg Duffy, Bon Iver’s Matt McCaughan, Wye Oak’s Andy Stack, and Landlady’s Adam Schatz. Head of Roses follows the release of Like So Much Desire, her acclaimed digital EP released June 2020 on Sub Pop.
Flock of Dimes’ Head of Roses has earned praise from international outlets including New York Times, The Guardian, The Independent, Sydney Morning Herald, NPR’s Weekend Edition, Uncut, PASTE, NPR Music, Stereogum, Pitchfork, SF Chronicle, Guitar World, Under the Radar, and more. The album also spent 2 weeks at #1 on the NACC 200 college charts.
Live Performances Thu. May 20th - Livestream - “Two Heads” NoonChorus performance Thu. May 27th - Livestream - “Two Heads” NoonChorus performance Fri. Aug. 27th - Charlotte, NC - Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre^ ^ w/ My Morning Jacket
What people are saying about Head of Roses: “More than anything she’s released before, Head of Roses makes room for the multiplicity of Wasner’s artistic voice. None of the singles sound anything alike — not the springy, off-kilter pop of ‘Two’ nor the slow-burning, psych-rock of ‘Price of Blue’ — and none of them quite prepare the listener for the gorgeously subdued second half of the album, which features several of the most stirring ballads Wasner has ever recorded. The common element holding all of these disparate parts together is her luminous, jewel-toned voice.” - New York Times
“Through blistering indie-rock songs and sparse, tender ballads, Head of Roses mines the dissolution of a romantic relationship to reveal the interconnections between loss and love, and between heartbreak and healing.”[“The Best Music of April”] - NPR Music
“An album that is as deeply introspective as it is creatively bold and ambitious (8/10).” - Uncut
“[Head of Roses] sees her incorporating her multifarious musical styles into a bright fusion of organic, dreamy rock and electronic pop.” [“22 albums we can’t wait to hear in April”] - The AV Club
“The album is — as you might expect — strikingly beautiful throughout.” - Stereogum
“Her second full-length outing, Head of Roses, is a triumphant signifier of professional and personal growth.” ★★★★ - The Independent
“A dazzling and harmonious display of styles and influences.” ★★★★ - The Sydney Morning Herald
”Head of Roses feels like an emotional journey where every new feeling, moment of rest and sonic surprise is hard-won.” [8.1/10] - PASTE
“Head of Roses is a journey toward healing and marks another strong entry in Flock of Dimes’ growing catalog of work.” ★★★★ - All Music
“The record is a stylish yet starkly honest amalgam of Wasner’s soul-searching introspection and multi-instrumental wizardry, merging dappled synth lines and woozy six-strings into bright cathartic compositions.” - Guitar World
“A project that ups the ante in her musical complexity… The impact is hypnotic.” - CLASH
“An album of subtle yet emotionally resonant songs.’ - Dusted
“The best material from the North Carolina artist’s prolific musical universe in years.” - SF Chronicle
“Not only a sonic delight, but a lyrical treasure trove full of personal truths that strike a universal chord (83/100)” - Beats Per Minute
“Wasner’s command of grace for herself and others ultimately becomes a source of soothing as Head of Roses unfolds. Layers push aside to reveal a core scented with forgiveness and healing. Flock of Dimes has become the vehicle for Wasner’s most personal reflections, which makes it the one to treasure most.” - Under the Radar
“…Jenn Wasner’s second solo album sounds confident. Textural layers of guitar and synth offer depth, yet allow her voice to lead the way.” - Pitchfork
“The record is full of ornately crafted music where sonics from different genres are plucked and daisy-chained into a distinct creation.” - The FADER
“On Head Of Roses Wasner still manages to deliver an album that feels both highly individual and effective in what it tries to do. It also subtly extends the sense of musical reinvention which has been ongoing since the direction-pivoting Shriek.” ★★★★ - MusicOMH
“Wasner’s sculpting of emotive music through sound and texture rather than key is special, and Head of Roses is by far her most successful rendering of it.” - The Line of Best
“The perfect record to calm anxiety and promote self-acceptance, Flock of Dimes’ Head of Roses will undoubtedly inspire a spark of mindfulness in any listener…” - MXDWN
“Sanborn’s synth textures provide rich layers for her and the listener to swim around, but the production extracts a wholly different kind of magic out of Wasner’s emotive voice, by far the most powerful and engaging presence on the album.” - Our Culture Magazine
Flock of Dimes Head of Roses
Tracklisting: 1. 2 Heads 2. Price of Blue 3. Two 4. Hard Way 5. Walking 6. Lightning 7. One More Hour 8. No Question 9. Awake for the Sunrise 10. Head of Roses
The North American deluxe edition of Ya Tseen’s debut album, Indian Yard is now available on clear vinyl in the Mega Mart and in select indie record stores. The deluxe packaging will include a 24-page hardcover LP-sized book with covers featuring a sci-fi landscape populated by a toddler-wearing artist Merritt Johnson’s sculpture Mindset, a VR headset woven from sweetgrass. The interior art was designed by Galanin. This deluxe edition will be available while supplies last. To celebrate, they have shared an official video for the previously released song “Back in That Time,” (feat. Qacung) directed by Raven Chacon.
A week ahead of its official 20th birthday, and just in time for Record Store Day, Sub Pop releases a remastered version of The Shins’ much-beloved debut album Oh, Inverted World today. You can now watch the Oh, Inverted World (Cliffs Notes Medley) video featuring snippets of every song from the album, directed and edited by Jon Sortland.
Originally released on June 19th, 2001, Oh, Inverted World is the earth-shattering, indie-rock-redefining album from The Shins, and is presented here in its finest form. The classic tunes get new life with mastering by Bob Ludwig, under band leader James Mercer’s watchful eye. The new front cover of this edition of Oh, Inverted World features an ‘inverted’ color scheme, on a die-cut jacket, and includes a booklet filled with vintage photos, handwritten lyrics, liner notes, and more.
20 lucky fans who purchase the LP will receive the “Golden Ticket” edition of the album, which includes a 7”x7” classic photo of the band signed by Mercer, hidden in 10 Loser Edition and 10 standard black vinyl copies.
The music on Oh, Inverted World is obviously essential, and this remastering truly makes this the album Mercer always wanted it to be. Never quite satisfied with the sonics of the original, Mercer took the 20th anniversary of the album as his opportunity to finally set the (literal!) record straight. And the results sound stellar: great for new fans, and well worth the attention for those who fell in love with it in the first place.
The Oh, Inverted World (20th Anniversary Remaster) is now available from megamart.subpop.com, The Shins merch store, select independent retailers in North America, the U.K., EU, Australia and New Zealand. The vinyl LP will be available in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand on July 23rd, 2021.
The Shins Oh, Inverted World (20th Anniversary Remaster)
Tracklisting: 1. Caring Is Creepy 2. One by One All Day 3. Weird Divide 4. Know Your Onion! 5. Girl Inform Me 6. New Slang 7. The Celibate Life 8. Girl on the Wing 9. Your Algebra 10. Pressed in a Book 11. The Past and Pending
Sub Pop proudly presents new, exclusive, two-song singles by Duma, Hand Habits, and LIDS. The three singles are part of the Sub Pop Singles Club Vol. 6, which continues Sub Pop’s incessant pandering to record collectors by way of limited-edition, subscription-only 7” vinyl singles. While the vinyl editions are only available to Singles Club subscribers – which you can become via the Sub Pop Mega Mart! – the music can now be heard on all digital music services. If you want the 7”s, hurry up and subscribe, as the 1,000 available subscriptions are nearly sold-out. Now that you’ve suffered through the sales pitch, here’s a bit about the artists!
Nairobi, Kenya’s Duma wowed us with their self-titled 2020 debut on Nyege Nyege Tapes. The duo – vocalist Martin Khanja (aka Lord Spike Heart) and producer/guitarist Sam Karugu - slams together metal, punk, industrial, and aggressive electronic music to blistering, boundary smashing effect. Their two songs, “Cannis” and “Mbukinya,” are a thrilling taste of Africa’s metal/experimental underground.
Hand Habits, the songwriting outlet of guitarist Meg Duffy, brings us two lovely new tracks: “motherless” and “no reply.” Lest the fact that we are releasing a Hand Habits record not make it clear, we at Sub Pop are huge fans of these specific songs, and Meg’s thoughtful, innovative, and all-around gorgeous music in general. Hand Habits’ next LP, produced by Sasami Ashworth, is out later this year on Saddle Creek.
LIDS is a new-ish band and veritable Canadian supergroup featuring Alex Edkins of METZ, Brian Borcherdt of Holy Fuck/Dusted, and Doug MacGregor of Constantines. Their single, “Furniture” b/w “Half Twin,” is LIDS’ second vinyl release (following the “Sarsfest” b/w “Blank Flag” single). The tracks make for a thoroughly engrossing 1-2 punch of melodic post-punk, with hints of Suicide and Television Personalities, and more than a hint of the rock-par-excellence LIDS’ members are known for.
Today, June 16th, Flock of Dimes is releasing Live at Betty’s, a two-song live EP featuring Head of Roses standouts “One More Hour” and “Two,” which is available at all DSPs from Sub Pop. The songs were recorded live with a full band - which includes members of Mountain Man and Sylvan Esso - at Betty’s in Durham, North Carolina in the Spring of 2021. Wasner recorded the acclaimed Head of Roses at the studio in the summer of 2020, and these performances bring the songs to life in the very space in which they were conceived.
The Live at Betty’s EP also celebrates the announcement of Flock of Dimes’ first headlining US tour dates in support of Head of Roses this fall. The tour begins Tuesday, October 5th and runs through Monday, October 11th, and will include stops at Richmond Music Hall in Richmond (VA), Ottobar in Baltimore (MD), Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw (NC), Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia (PA), and Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn (NY). Her live band for these shows will include Matt McCaughan (Bon Iver), Alan Good Parker (Natalie Prass, Matthew E. White), and Michael Libramento (Hiss Golden Messenger, Dr. Dog, Floating Action), who also performed on the Live At Betty’s release. See a full list of dates below.
Flock of Dimes’ Head of Roses is available now on CD/CS/DSPs worldwide through Sub Pop. The album was produced by Nick Sanborn (Sylvan Esso) and Wasner, engineered by Bella Blasko with additional engineering by Sanborn, mixed by Ari Picker and Blasko, and mastered by Huntley Miller. The album features appearances from guitarist Meg Duffy, Bon Iver’s Matt McCaughan, Wye Oak’s Andy Stack, and Landlady’s Adam Schatz. Head of Roses follows the release of Like So Much Desire, her acclaimed digital EP released June 2020 on Sub Pop.
Flock of Dimes’ Head of Roses has earned praise from international outlets including New York Times, The Guardian, The Independent, Sydney Morning Herald, NPR’s Weekend Edition, Uncut, PASTE (“Best Albums of April”), NPR Music (“New Music Friday” and “Best Albums of April”), Stereogum, Pitchfork, SF Chronicle, Guitar World, Under the Radar, and more. The album also spent 2 weeks at #1 on the NACC 200 college charts.
Recently, Stereogum included Head of Roses on its “Best Albums of 2021 (So Far),” and said, “We all know Jenn Wasner doesn’t miss, but her new Flock Of Dimes album is particularly masterful…From the scathing churn of “Price Of Blue” to fragile reckonings like “Lightning” or dreamlike yearning in “One More Hour,” she traces the mechanics of heartbreak and the arc of grief. She emerges from loss not just with a new understanding of herself, but one of the best albums of her career.” SPIN included the album on its “30 Best Albums of 2021” (So Far), and offered this, “Shifting away from the electropop of her debut, Head of Roses is full of spacious guitar compositions, designed to draw attention to Wasner’s silky voice — a winsome instrument used to deliver rough truths. “Hope is still keeping my head above water/ ‘Til the moment before I choke,” she sings with Dolly Parton-ish longing on “Awake for the Sunrise.” Wasner may be striving for joy, but roses can’t grow without dirt.”
Tour Dates Fri. Aug. 27th - Charlotte, NC - Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre ^ Tue. Oct. 05 - Richmond, VA - Richmond Music Hall Thu. Oct. 07- Baltimore, MD - Ottobar Fri. Oct. 08 - Saxapahaw, NC - Haw River Ballroom Sun. Oct. 10 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s Mon. Oct. 11 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg ^ w/ My Morning Jacket
What people are saying about Head of Roses: “More than anything she’s released before, Head of Roses makes room for the multiplicity of Wasner’s artistic voice. None of the singles sound anything alike — not the springy, off-kilter pop of ‘Two’ nor the slow-burning, psych-rock of ‘Price of Blue’ — and none of them quite prepare the listener for the gorgeously subdued second half of the album, which features several of the most stirring ballads Wasner has ever recorded. The common element holding all of these disparate parts together is her luminous, jewel-toned voice.” - New York Times
“Through blistering indie-rock songs and sparse, tender ballads, Head of Roses mines the dissolution of a romantic relationship to reveal the interconnections between loss and love, and between heartbreak and healing.”[“The Best Music of April”] - NPR Music
“An album that is as deeply introspective as it is creatively bold and ambitious (8/10).” - Uncut
“[Head of Roses] sees her incorporating her multifarious musical styles into a bright fusion of organic, dreamy rock and electronic pop.” [“22 albums we can’t wait to hear in April”] - The AV Club
“The album is — as you might expect — strikingly beautiful throughout.” - Stereogum
“Her second full-length outing, Head of Roses, is a triumphant signifier of professional and personal growth.” ★★★★ - The Independent
“A dazzling and harmonious display of styles and influences.” ★★★★ - The Sydney Morning Herald
”Head of Roses feels like an emotional journey where every new feeling, moment of rest and sonic surprise is hard-won.” [8.1/10] - PASTE
“Head of Roses is a journey toward healing and marks another strong entry in Flock of Dimes’ growing catalog of work.” ★★★★ - All Music
“The record is a stylish yet starkly honest amalgam of Wasner’s soul-searching introspection and multi-instrumental wizardry, merging dappled synth lines and woozy six-strings into bright cathartic compositions.” - Guitar World
“A project that ups the ante in her musical complexity… The impact is hypnotic.” - CLASH
“An album of subtle yet emotionally resonant songs.’ - Dusted
“The best material from the North Carolina artist’s prolific musical universe in years.” - SF Chronicle
“Not only a sonic delight, but a lyrical treasure trove full of personal truths that strike a universal chord (83/100)” - Beats Per Minute
“All hail Jenn Wasner. Whether it’s as one half of Baltimore dream pop combo Wye Oak or her solo project Flock of Dimes, Wasner’s songs take their time, fully enveloping you in reverb-drenched vocals and soaring electric guitars. From the first fuzzy riff to the closing staticky feedback breakdown, “Price of Blue” is heavy and immersive, delivering a standout track on an album with zero skips.” - Men’s Health
“Wasner’s command of grace for herself and others ultimately becomes a source of soothing as Head of Roses unfolds. Layers push aside to reveal a core scented with forgiveness and healing. Flock of Dimes has become the vehicle for Wasner’s most personal reflections, which makes it the one to treasure most.” - Under the Radar
“…Jenn Wasner’s second solo album sounds confident. Textural layers of guitar and synth offer depth, yet allow her voice to lead the way.” - Pitchfork
