Smash cut to Kiwi Jr.’s third album, Chopper, overseen by trusted pilot Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs) on storied Sub Pop Records. Turning nocturnal with necks mock turtle, our Local Kiwi Jr. takes neon flight off the digital cliff - like The Monkees starring in Blade Runner; like Michael Mann directs Encino Man. Ten songs with synth shimmer, zen gongs with yard strimmer. The signs along the highway read “LESS BAR, MORE NOIR AHEAD.” Ah, those late summer, Joe Strummer, Home on the Range Rover Blues.
There’s a melancholy to all forms of flight, and the view out the Chopper is as hazy as it gets: mission-oriented, both stealth and self-realized. This album is decidedly (yet almost secretly) anti-patio-sunscreen-Beach Boys bachelor cruise sing-a-long. Sure, these songs let a little light through the blinds, but they sting insomnia, corrupt mayors, Kennedy Curses, sex tapes, and deer rifles. Chopper is the bird’s eye view of the big event - a real nighttime character of oil stain, film grain, search light, night flight. It is muscular and fragile; loud yet quiet: both an observer and somehow the observed spectacle itself.
What was slack in the slacker phase, got tauter, with lacquer glaze. Slick gloss, rightened wrongs; murdered boss, promoted pawns. With Boeckner transmitting high-voltage shocks upon every reach for a familiar instrument, Kiwi Jr. expands the palette with string machine song, synthesizered oblong, and Dentyne Classic Menthol vocals from area soprano Dorothea Paas (US Girls, Badge Epoch Ensemble) like the missing piece all along.
Kiwi Jr. brings the Chopper to a new space, demilitarizing the technology just like flasks, aviators, and cargo shorts. Graceful in the air above, but when the Chopper lands, there’s chaos on the ground. Kiwi Jr. shout, “Look Out!” When it gets close, it’ll blow the hat right off of your head.
Hold onto your hats, Babies.
KIWI JR. is Jeremy Gaudet vocals and guitar, Brian Murphy guitar, Mike Walker bass, Brohan Moore drums, and everybody played a little bit of keyboard.
—-------
On August 12th, 2022, KIWI JR. will release Chopper, the group’s third album, worldwide on CD/LP/CS/DSPs through Sub Pop, with the exception of Canada through the band’s Kiwi Club imprint. The album, which features the lead single “Night Vision” along with highlights “Unspeakable Things,” “The Sound of Music” and “The Extra Sees the Film,” was recorded and produced in Toronto by Sub Pop labelmate Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, Operators).
The “Night Vision” video was helmed by returning director Laura-Lynn Petrick (Kiwi Jr.’s “Waiting In Line,” also directed videos by Weyes Blood and Jessica Pratt).
Singer/guitarist Jeremy Gaudet offers this, “Before ‘Night Vision’ was 100% written, just the basic idea of it existing as a Kiwi Jr. song inspired us and set the tone for the record. A lot of the images in the lyrics are of teenagers driving around, trying to make plans, sharing the aux, putting their parents’ car in the ditch, etc. But the idea at the center of the song is that of working up the nerve to make a big decision. Like a boxer getting pumped up before a fight.”
Chopper is available for preorder from Sub Pop. LP preorders from megamart.subpop.com, select independent retailers in North America will receive the limited Loser edition on crystal clear vinyl (while supplies last). Meanwhile, preorders through select independent retailers in the UK and EU will receive the limited Loser edition on clear vinyl (while supplies last).
Kiwi Jr.’s tour schedule for 2022 in support of Chopper currently spans Saturday, May 28th in Hamilton, Ontario at Mills Hardware and runs through Sunday, September 25th in Amsterdam, Netherlands at Paradiso. Sub Pop labelmates Weird Nightmare will also co-headline Kiwi Jr.’s North American shows (May 28th-July 31st, select dates). Additional live dates to be announced soon.
Sat. May 28 - Hamilton, ON - Mills Hardware * Fri. Jun. 17 - Detroit, MI - Third Man Records * Sat. Jun. 18 - Chicago, IL - Schubas * Sat. Jun. 25 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern Fri. Jul. 22 - Montreal, QC - Bar le Ritz PDB * Sat. Jul. 23 - Ottawa, ON - SAW Gallery * Thu. Jul. 28 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby’s All Right * Fri. Jul. 29 - Rehoboth Beach, DE - Dogfish Head Brewing * Sat. Jul. 30 - Washington, DC - Songbird Music House * Sun. Jul. 31 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s * Fri. Sep. 16 - Paris, France - La Boule Noire Sun. Sep. 18 - Lille, France - L’ Aeronef Mon. Sep. 19 - London, England - Victoria Dalston [SOLD OUT] Tue. Sep. 20 - London, England - 100 Club Wed. Sep. 21 - Brussels, Belgium - Witloofbar Botanique Thu. Sep. 22 - Nijmegen, Netherlands - Merleyn Sat. Sep. 24 - Eindhoven, Netherlands - Stoomhuisje Sun. Sep. 25 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso * w/ Weird Nightmare
What people said about Kiwi Jr.’s 2021 release, Cooler Returns: “Sustaining momentum near-flawlessly across 13 songs… Kiwi Jr. have the skills to match their smarts.” ★★★★ 4 stars - MOJO
“Sardonic storytelling and mocking asides…an impatient, slacker-rock imagining of a folk album....some chords ring out with George Harrison glossiness while others are as shaggy and impetuous as The Clean —rarely do hi-fi and lo-fi splendors coexist so harmoniously.” - Pitchfork
“Cooler Returns is all hits, a baker’s dozen of ridiculously catchy three-minute pop nuggets that deliver massive sing-along-choruses.” - Brooklyn Vegan
“Canadian absurdists’ return is a lyrical delight” - Uncut
“This one may have been released in literally the very first week of 2021, but it never strayed far from rotation. A truly jubilant sound echoing The Clean and Orange Juice but with the punch of contemporary indie, and wry and winking vocals that remind what the ‘90s had to offer underground.” [2021 Year In Review] - Aquarium Drunkard
“Kiwi Jr. take the jangliest of guitars and dribble enigmatic observations all over them. Light-hearted and exhilarating enough to make you stop caring and too catchy for its own good.” [15 Best Indie Pop Records of 2021] - PopMatters
“Kiwi Jr. hypnotize with their sophomore record. There is incredible efficiency in the brief slices of the Toronto foursome’s peppy pop songcraft–more than half clock in under three minutes–with enticing hooks and odd references.”[40 Best Albums of 2021] - Rock & Roll Globe
“Kiwi Jr’s world is the perfect anecdote to the real world in 2020/21.” [2021 Albums of The Year]- Louder Than War
“L’année 2021 ne pouvait mieux commencer qu’avec cet excellent disque a l’entrain communicatif, d’une inspiration jubilatoire, veritable rayon de soleil au cour de l’hiver” [4/5] - Rock & Folk
“Les quatre musiciens de Toronto ne changent pas leur formule gagnante et livrent une guitare jangly élégante et efficace.” - Les Inrocks
“Ook de referenties zijn dik in orde: the Chills, The Strokes, The Kinks… en de vroege R.E.M. ‘Fonkelende gitaarplaat die refereert aan heden en verleden.”, Best Albums of the Month - Oor
Kiwi Jr. Chopper
Tracklisting: 1. Unspeakable Things 2. Parasite II 3. Clerical Sleep 4. Night Vision 5. The Extra Sees the Film 6. Contract Killers 7. The Sound of Music 8. Downtown Area Blues 9. Kennedy Curse 10. The Masked Singer
”Understood” is a new single and highlight from Built to Spill’s forthcoming new album, When the Wind Forgets Your Name. The song is about misunderstandings, and also takes inspiration from Evel Knievel’s failed canyon jump in Martsch’s hometown of Twin Falls, Idaho, that happened when he was a child.
When the Wind Forgets Your Name featuring the aforementioned “Understood,” along with “Gonna Lose,” “Fool’s Gold,” “Spiderweb,” and “Rocksteady,” was produced by Doug Martsch, mixed by Martsch, Lê Almeida, João Casaes, and Josh Lewis, and mastered by Mell Dettmer. When the Wind Forgets Your Name is the first new Built to Spill album since the release of 2015’s Untethered Moon.
Built to Spill’s headlining and festival shows for the summer and fall of 2022 is underway, with a show tonight in Brooklyn, NY at Brooklyn Bowl. The tour currently runs through Saturday, September 24 in Salt Lake City, UT at Metro Music Hall. The tour will feature songs from When the Wind Forgets Your Name along with fan favorites from the band’s catalog.
Support for these shows (select dates) will come from Oruã (the Brazilian band featuring When the Wind… collaborators Almeida and Casaes), along with Prism Bitch, Wetface, Blood Lemon, The French Tips, Distant Family, and Braided Waves. The live band for these Built to Spill tour dates will consist of Martsch, bassist Melanie Radford, and drummer Teresa Esguerra. For updated information on tickets, please visit builttospill.com.
Tue. May 17 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl # % Wed. May 18 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl # % Thu. May 19 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls # % Fri. May 20 - Indianapolis, IN - Hi-Fi # % Sat. May 21- Detroit, MI - The Loving Touch + $ Sun. May 22 - Kalamazoo, MI - Bell’s Eccentric Cafe & Brewery + $ Tue. May 24 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall + $ Wed. May 25 - Maquoketa, IA - Codfish Hollow Barnstormers + $ Thu. May 26 - Omaha, NE - Waiting Room + $ Fri. May 27 - Fort Collins, CO - Aggie Theater + $ Sat. May 28 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater + $ Sun. May 29 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater + $ Fri. Jun. 03 - Hood River, OR - The Ruins Thu. Jun. 23 - Calgary, AB - Sled Island Festival Sat. Jul. 23 - Carnation, WA - Timber! Festival Sat. Jul. 30 - Stanley, ID - Sawtooth Family Gathering Sat. Aug. 06 - Happy Valley, OR - Pickathon Sun. Aug. 07 - Happy Valley, OR - Pickathon Thu. Aug. 11 - Spokane, WA - Lucky You Lounge ^ @ Fri. Aug. 12 - Bozeman, MT - The ELM ^ @ Sat. Aug. 13 - Billings, MT - The Pub Station ^ @ Mon. Aug. 15 - Fargo, ND - The Hall @ FBC ^ @ Tue. Aug. 16 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue ^ @ Wed. Aug. 17 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theater ^ @ Thu. Aug. 18 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall ^ @ Fri. Aug. 19 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall ^ @ Sat. Aug. 20 - Louisville, KY - Headliner’s Music Hall ^ @ Mon. Aug. 22 - Cincinnati, OH - Woodward Theater ^ @ Tue. Aug. 23 - Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop ^ @ Wed. Aug. 24 - Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall % Thu. Aug. 25 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre # % Fri. Aug. 26 - Portland, ME - State Theatre # % Sat. Aug. 27 - New Haven, CT - College Street Music Hall # % Mon. Aug. 29 - South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground # % Tue. Aug. 30 - Holyoke, MA - Gateway City Arts # % Fri. Sep. 02 - Baltimore, MD - Ram’s Head Live # % Sat. Sep. 03 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony # % Sun. Sep. 04 - Bethlehem, PA - Musikfest # % Tue. Sep. 06 - Columbus, OH - The Athenaeum Theatre * = Wed. Sep. 07 - Knoxville, TN - The Mill & Mine * = Thu. Sep. 08 - Wilmington, NC - Greenfield Lake Amphitheater * = Fri. Sep. 09 - Charleston, SC - Charleston Music Hall * = Sat. Sep. 10 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live * = Sun. Sep. 11 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room * = Tue. Sep. 13 - Orlando, FL - The Social * = Wed. Sep. 14 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits * = Thu. Sep. 15 - Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall * = Fri. Sep. 16 - Birmingham, AL - Saturn Birmingham * = Sat. Sep. 17 - Memphis, TN - Growler’s * = Sun. Sep. 18 - Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom * = Mon. Sep. 19 - St. Louis, MO - Red Flag * = Tue. Sep. 20 - Columbia, MO - Blue Note * = Wed. Sep. 21 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater * = Fri. Sep. 23 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater * = Sat. Sep. 24 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall * =
* w/ Orua ^ w/ Prism Bitch # w/ Wetface % w/ Blood Lemon + w/ Sunbathe $ w/ Distant Family @ w/ Braided Waves = w/ The French Tips
When the Wind Forgets Your Name is now available for preorder on CD/LP/CS/DSPs through Sub Pop. LPs purchased through megamart.subpop.com, and select independent retailers in North America will receive the limited Loser Edition on Rainforest Green vinyl (while supplies last). Meanwhile, LP preorders in the U.K. and Europe through select independent retailers will receive the album on Misty Kiwi Fruit Green vinyl (while supplies last).
When the Wind Forgets Your Name’s cover art was designed by comic artist Alex Graham (Dog Biscuits; Fantagraphics Books), who also illustrated the fifty-panel comic strip for the album’s gatefold (available with the CD, LP, and cassette editions of the album).
Built to Spill When The Wind Forgets Your Name
Tracklisting: 1. Gonna Lose 2. Fool’s Gold 3. Understood 4. Elements 5. Rock Steady 6. Spiderweb 7. Never Alright 8. Alright 9. Comes a Day
On July 1st, 2022 London-based artist Naima Bock will release her debut album Giant Palm via Sub Pop Records/Memorials of Distinction. Following the single releases of “30 Degrees,” her cover of the classic Brazilian song “Berimbau”, “Every Morning” and “Giant Palm” comes her latest single/official video for her song “Toll.”
Naima says of the song, “Toll was originally composed as a song to hold hands with decay and death. Recording alongside Joel Burton who arranged the violin and woodwind parts brought the song to life and allowed for space and freedom within it, while Alex Mckenzie’s flute solo beautifully introduces us into its world. My drummer Cassidy Hansen wrote and directed the video, magically closing the circle.” You can watch the video for “Toll” below.
Naima recently concluded a 17-date tour, as the main support slot for Rodrigo Amarante throughout Europe. She will headline The Lexington on 23rd May. She will have additional festival plays at Glastonbury, The Great Escape Festival, The Great Eastern Festival, Sea Change Festival, Hidden Doors Festival, and End of the Road Festival. In September she’ll support Dana Gavanski in Europe. See below for a full list of shows.
Sat. May 21 - Edinburgh, UK - The Great Eastern Festival Mon. May 23 - London, UK - The Lexington Sat. May 28 - Totnes, UK - Sea Change Festival Fri. Jun. 17 - Edinburgh, UK - Hidden Door Festival Wed. Jun 22-26 - Somerset, UK - Glastonbury Festival Fri. Jul. 01 - London, UK - London’s Rough Trade East Thu. Sep. 01 - Sun. Sep. 04 - Dorset, UK - End of the Road Festival Fri. Sep. 09 - Sat. Sep. 10 - Vienna, AT - Waves Festival Thu. Sep. 15 - Sat. Sep. 17 - Oslo, NO - by:Larm Tue. Sep. 20 - Leipzig, DE - UT Connewitz * Wed. Sep. 21 - Hamburg, DE - RBF * Thu. Sep. 22 - Berlin, DE - Prachtwerk * Fri. Sep 23 - Cologne, DE - Theater der Wohngemeinschaft * Sat. Sep. 24 - Munich, DE - Heppel & Ettlich * Tue. Sep. 27 - Nijmegen, NL - Doomrosje * Thu. Sep. 29 - Brugge - BE - Cactus * Tue. Oct. 11 - Brighton, UK - The Prince Albert Wed. Oct. 12 - Bristol, UK - The Cube Thu. Oct. 13- Manchester, UK - Guillivers Sun. Oct. 16 - Birmingham, UK - Hare & Hounds 2 Fri. Oct. 21 - Glasgow, UK - Hug & Pint Sat. Oct. 22 - Leeds, UK - Mill Hill Chapel Sun. Oct. 23 - Newcastle, UK - Cumberland Ave Mon. Oct. 27th - London, UK - ICA
* w/ Dana Gavanski
Born in Glastonbury to a Brazilian father and a Greek mother, Naima spent her early childhood in Brazil before eventually returning to England and various homes in South-East London. This heritage combines with more recent pursuits in Naima’s music; from the Brazilian standards that the family would listen to driving to the beach, to the European folk traditions she tapped into on her own, and the pursuits that interest her today – studies in archaeology, work as a gardener, and walking the world’s great trails – Naima’s music draws from family, the earth and the handing down of music through generations.
What People are saying about Naima Bock: “There’s a bit of ’70s Brian Eno in her vocal delivery and an echo of John Cale in her arrangements, but the fusion of her disparate cultural influences makes for an enchanting sound entirely Bock’s own.” [“Giant Palm”] -New York Times
“Flashes of jazz and Americana bolt across her songs, and with each brush of warmth and familiarity there’s something to claw you back to the edge of your seat.” [“30 Degrees”] - The Line of Best Fit
“…Filled with interweaving vocal harmonies and a transcendent sense of stillness.” [“Every Morning”]- Stereogum
“…Dark, smoky, folk sound, close harmonies and production touches that nod towards her upbringing in Brazil.” [“30 Degrees”] - Brooklyn Vegan
“‘30 Degrees’ is hushed and mournful, with Bock’s deep voice at the center.”- Stereogum
“A strong contender to be one of 2022’s breakout stars” - For The Rabbits
On August 26th, 2022, Bret McKenzie will release Songs Without Jokes, his full-length, solo debut, worldwide through Sub Pop. The album, which features lead single “A Little Tune,” and additional highlights “Dave’s Place,” “If You Wanna Go,” and “America Goodbye,” was produced by Mickey Petralia and McKenzie, mixed by Darrell Thorpe, with songs recorded at East West Studios and United Recordings, and mastered by Dave Ives at 101 Mastering in Los Angeles.
Watch the charming, official (and officially charming…) video for a “A Little Tune,” which stars McKenzie, directed by Ezra Simons, and shot at Royal Whanganui Opera House, the last Victorian theatre remaining in New Zealand.
As you can probably glean from that gleaming album title above, McKenzie—whom you know from such modern musical treasures as comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, The Muppets movie reboots and other ace family-film soundtracks, Lord of the Rings fan blogs, guest songs for The Simpsons, cycling around the streets in his native New Zealand, and more— has a new solo record coming out filled with songs that ARE NOT COMEDY SONGS! For members of the press, we thoughtfully provide some irresistible story headlines below, for Bret’s sake and your convenience.
-Kiwi Flies, and Solo! -Songs From One Bloke -Three (Con)chords (Minus Two Conchords) and the Truth -Uh-Oh! Rhymenoceros on the Loose! -Bretty or Not, Here He Comes
There. Now doesn’t that feel better? Sometimes it helps just to get it out in the open.
So, yeah, Bret’s a ridiculously funny dude, and you might even call him one of the best comedy songwriters in the biz. He’s had smash hits, he’s won major awards, he’s the better-dressed part of his duo…he’s got a good thing going! So, what gives with this whole “songs without jokes” solo stuff, man?
“Post-Conchords, I’d been working on songs for the Muppets films, and during a session I had the thought that it would be fun someday to work on some songs that weren’t for someone else, that don’t have to tell a story or be funny or continue the narrative plot, checking all the boxes for the character in the movie,” McKenzie says. “I thought it’d be fun to do a record like that, something different.”
Adding to his successful track record writing and performing across most genres of pop music, McKenzie is a fan of wry, literate artists like Harry Nilsson, Steely Dan, Randy Newman and Dire Straits. He’s a talented player of multiple instruments and a veteran of several non-comedy bands in New Zealand back in the day, most notably the reggae-based fusion group The Black Seeds. Yet, while songs without jokes are just as much in his blood as those with, he recognizes that most people who know his work will arrive expecting a laugh. Hence, the album’s title (read full bio at Sub Pop).
McKenzie, along with his seven-piece band, has scheduled international headlining shows for the fall of 2022 in support of Songs Without Jokes, beginning September 2nd in Nelson, New Zealand at Trafalgar Center and currently ending Sunday, November 20th in Atlanta, Georgia at the Eastern.
Seated registration for these shows begins today, and runs through Tuesday, May 17th at 10pm (local). Fan presales begin Wednesday, May 18th at 10am (local; PW: SONGSWITHOUTJOKES), with tickets on sale to the general public on Friday, May 20th at 10am (local). For more information on tickets please visit https://bretmckenzie.co.nz/tour/.
Fri. Sep. 02 - Nelson, NZ - Trafalgar Centre Sat. Sep. 03 - Christchurch, NZ - Town Hall Sun. Sep. 04 - Dunedin, NZ - Town Hall Mon. Sep. 05 - Invercargill, NZ - Civic Theatre Thu. Sep. 08 - Wellington, NZ - Opera House Mon. Sep. 12 - Whanganui, NZ - Royal Whanganui Opera House Tue. Sep. 13 - Hastings, NZ - Opera House Wed. Sep. 14 - Auckland, NZ - Town Hall Thu. Sep. 22 - Birmingham, UK - Town Hall Fri. Sep. 23 - Leeds, UK - O2 Academy Mon. Sep. 26 - London, UK - Eventim Apollo Thu. Sep. 29 - Nottingham, UK - Royal Concert Hall Sat. Oct. 01 - Portsmouth - Guildhall Mon. Oct. 03 - Cardiff, UK - St Davids Hall Tue. Oct. 04 - Edinburgh, UK - Academy Wed. Oct. 05 - Newcastle, UK - O2 City Hall Fri. Oct. 07 - Manchester, UK - O2 Apollo Sun. Oct. 09 - Dublin, IE - The National Stadium Fri. Oct. 14 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Sat. Oct. 15 - Boston, MA - Berklee Performance Center Mon. Oct. 17 - Philadelphia, PA - Fillmore (seated) Wed. Oct. 19 - Williamsburg, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg Thu. Oct. 20 - Port Chester, NY - Capitol Theatre Fri. Oct. 21 - Washington DC - Lincoln Theatre Sat. Oct. 22 - New York, NY - Webster Hall Mon. Oct. 24 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre Tue. Oct. 25 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre Wed. Oct. 26. - Detroit, MI - Royal Oak Fri. Oct. 28 - Chicago, IL - The Vic Theatre Sat. Oct. 29 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater Sun. Oct. 30 - Minneapolis, MN - Fitzgerald Theater Wed. Nov. 02 Denver, CO - Ogden Theater Thu. Nov. 03 - Salt Lake City, UT - Eccles Theater Sun. Nov. 06 - Seattle, WA - The Moore Mon. Nov. 07 - Vancouver, BC - The Vogue Theatre Wed. Nov. 09 - San Francisco, CA - Fillmore Fri. Nov. 11 - Los Angeles, CA - Theatre at the Ace Hotel Sat. Nov. 12 - El Cajon, CA (San Diego) - Magnolia Sun. Nov. 13 - Phoenix, AZ - Orpheum Theater Tue. Nov. 15 - Dallas, TX - Factory Studio (Canton Hall) Wed. Nov. 16 - Austin, TX - Paramount Theater Thur. Nov. 17 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live Sat. Nov. 19 - Nashville, TN - James K. Polk Theater Sun. Nov. 20 - Atlanta, GA - The Eastern
Songs Without Jokes is available to preorder now from Sub Pop. LP preorders through megamart.subpop.com, select independent retailers in North America, UK and Europe will received the limited Loser Edition on blue vinyl (while supplies last).
Bret McKenzie Songs Without Jokes
Tracklisting: 1. This World 2. If You Wanna Go 3. Dave’s Place 4. Here for You 5. That’s L.A. 6. Up in Smoke 7. Carry On 8. A Little Tune 9. America Goodbye 10. Tomorrow Today 11. Crazy Times
Today you can watch the “courtroom drama” official video for Σtella’s “The Truth Is,” a new highlight from Up and Away, the Greek artist’s mesmerizing Sub Pop debut. The song transports its listeners forward to acceptance (“alright, but still I miss you every night.”) capturing the conflicting emotions of love as it lives on in ways beyond our understanding or control. Its bittersweet and whimsical video is based on a concept by Σtella (who also stars as the “stenographer”) and directed by Gregoris Rentis.
Up and Away features the aforementioned “The Truth Is” along with “Charmed” and the title track, and will be out June 17h worldwide on Sub Pop.
Gorilla Vs. Bear says, “As on super dreamy recent single “Charmed”, Σtella hooks up again with London producer Redinho here to conjure an elegant and sophisticated union of vintage Greek music and sleek modern pop. But while “Charmed” was all balmy, laid back groove, [“Up and Away” is] a decidedly more rousing affair.” Meanwhile, Brooklyn Vegan calls the track “joyous, effervescent…”, and High Clouds says of “Up and Away,” “This vintage vibe is definitely palpable in the title track, a tale of consuming romance driven by blistering blasts of bouzouki.” Of “Charmed”, Impose offers this, “The beauty is that such songs have evolving and powerful lives that match the times. Σtella…succeeds in this modified pop crafting with her latest track.”
What people have said about Σtella: “Σtella’s honey-rich vocals overlie a crisp, no-frills backing that has echoes of classic ’60s pop” - Line of Best Fit
“Bold, streamlined pop” - PASTE
“…Infectious disco-infused art-pop.” - I-D
Up and Away Σtella
Track Listing: 1. Up and Away 2. Nomad 3. Manéros 4. Charmed 5. Another Nation 6. Black and White 7. Titanic 8. The Truth Is 9. Who Cares 10. Is It Over
