On August 17th Cullen Omori will release his sophomore effort, The Diet worldwide via yours truly, Sub Pop Records. Omori has shared a brand new video for song, “Happiness Reigns” [as seen above here], which was directed by Sarah Strunin and is a charming slice of power pop with lyrics that combine fatalistic imagery (“flowers of uranium/ and the kids just play along”) and a wide-eyed apologia to a woman, is perhaps the closest Cullen gets to the classic love-song ideal on The Diet.  

 
“Reigns” was not only inspired by Omori’s current girlfriend—she was intricately involved in his vision for bringing this love song a la Beatles or Rolling Stones “into the 21st century.” “Seldom are songs actually about the women in my life, but when I choose to write them I try to act in conspiracy with my ‘muse,’” he says. “On ‘Happiness Reigns,’ I was consciously trying to prevent the song from  lyrically falling into this one-way ode to an idolized muse. Of course some of my favorite artists like T-Rex or John Cale have albums chock full of them but my intention was never to be a rock classicist or to make something that was an extension of my influences. So I had her write it with me. If I was going to write this about someone, even in vague terms, I thought it would be interesting to intertwine their perception of themselves and of our relationship.”

Cullen Omori Tour Dates + Ticket Links

Prior to the release of The Diet, Omori will embark on a seven date tour opening for the Japanese alternative rock band The Pillows. These shows are presented by Adult Swim to celebrate the highly-anticipated return of the channels cult-anime hit FLCL. The tour will kick off on July 10th in Boston, with shows in New York, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
 
Jul. 10 - Boston, MA - Royale * [Sold Out]
Jul. 12 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre * [Sold Out]
Jul. 13 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza * [Sold Out]
Jul. 15 - Seattle, WA - Neptune * [Sold Out]
Jul. 16 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom *
Jul. 18 - San Francisco, CA - August Hall * [Sold Out]
Jul. 19 - Los Angeles, CA - The Mayan *
* w/ The Pillows & Noodles

Pre orders for The Diet are available now through Sub Pop right here. LP pre orders through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on lavender swirl vinyl (while supplies last). There will also be a new T-Shirt design available. 

Cullen Omori
The Diet
Tracklisting

1. Four Years
2. Borderline Friends
3. All By Yourself
4. Happiness Reigns
5. Master Eyes
6. Quiet Girl
7. Black Rainbow
8. Natural Woman
9. Millennial Geishas
10. Last Line
11. Queen
12. A Real You