NEWS : MON, JUL 14, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Watch Bret McKenzie’s Official Video For “Freak Out City”
Today, Bret McKenzie is sharing a new video for “Freak Out City,” the title track from his forthcoming sophomore album, out Friday, August 15th worldwide from Sub Pop.
The humorous, quirky video is directed by Ezra Simons and stars McKenzie as an employee having a very strange day at the office.
“I love how reality unravels along with the song. We shot the video in Wellington over a couple of wintery days last month. I felt like I was in a surreal New Zealand episode of The Office,” says McKenzie.
Bret and his live band, The State Highway Wonders, are also announcing new, international headline dates for October 2025 in support of Freak Out City - Bret’s first since 2022. The variety-style live show will feature selections from the new album, as well as his Sub Pop debut, Songs Without Jokes, alongside various tracks from Bret’s work in TV and film.
McKenzie says, “I’ve put a lot of love into this album and I can’t wait to get it out into the world.”
In October, Bret will hit select cities in the US and UK, including Los Angeles’s Largo at The Coronet (Oct. 10th), Washington, DC’s Miracle Theatre (Oct. 14th), New York’s Le Poisson Rouge (Oct. 17th), and London’s Bush Hall (Oct. 21st + 22nd).
Fan presales for the US shows begin Tuesday, July 15th at 10 am (local), with tickets to the general public on sale Friday, July 18th at 10 am (local).
For the UK show, the fan presale begins Wednesday, July 16th at 10 am (local), with tickets to the general public on sale Friday, July 18th at 10 am (local).
The humorous, quirky video is directed by Ezra Simons and stars McKenzie as an employee having a very strange day at the office.
“I love how reality unravels along with the song. We shot the video in Wellington over a couple of wintery days last month. I felt like I was in a surreal New Zealand episode of The Office,” says McKenzie.
Bret and his live band, The State Highway Wonders, are also announcing new, international headline dates for October 2025 in support of Freak Out City - Bret’s first since 2022. The variety-style live show will feature selections from the new album, as well as his Sub Pop debut, Songs Without Jokes, alongside various tracks from Bret’s work in TV and film.
McKenzie says, “I’ve put a lot of love into this album and I can’t wait to get it out into the world.”
In October, Bret will hit select cities in the US and UK, including Los Angeles’s Largo at The Coronet (Oct. 10th), Washington, DC’s Miracle Theatre (Oct. 14th), New York’s Le Poisson Rouge (Oct. 17th), and London’s Bush Hall (Oct. 21st + 22nd).
Fan presales for the US shows begin Tuesday, July 15th at 10 am (local), with tickets to the general public on sale Friday, July 18th at 10 am (local).
For the UK show, the fan presale begins Wednesday, July 16th at 10 am (local), with tickets to the general public on sale Friday, July 18th at 10 am (local).
Fri. Oct. 10 - Los Angeles, CA - Largo at the Coronet
Tue. Oct. 14 - Washington, DC - Miracle Theatre
Fri. Oct. 17 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge
Tue. Oct. 21 - London, UK - Bush Hall
Wed. Oct. 22 - London, UK - Bush Hall
Tue. Oct. 14 - Washington, DC - Miracle Theatre
Fri. Oct. 17 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge
Tue. Oct. 21 - London, UK - Bush Hall
Wed. Oct. 22 - London, UK - Bush Hall
The new single release and tour announcement follow the release of “All I Need,” the lead single from Freak Out City, announced in June. The new album is a fresh collection of songs Bret developed while performing live across New Zealand and the United States with his band The State Highway Wonders. The influence of his musical heroes Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman resonates again on this record, where Bret playfully weaves humour and heart into his songs.
Recorded in both Los Angeles and New Zealand, the album was co-produced by Bret and his long-time collaborator, Mickey Petralia. It was also mixed by Michael Harris at East West Studios and mastered by Ruairi O’Flaherty at Nomograph Mastering in Los Angeles. The musicians on the record are a mix of LA-based players Leland Sklar, Dean Parks, Drew Erickson, Chris Caswell, and Joey Waronker, as well as New Zealand musicians Ben Lemi, Leo Coghini, Jacqui Nyman, Moana Leota, Iris Little, and Justin Clarke.
Freak Out City is available now to preorder on CD/LP/all streaming services from Sub Pop. LP preorders from megamart.subpop.com in North America, MegaMart Europe in the UK + EU, and your local record store, will receive the limited Loser Edition on Glacial Blue (NA) or Light Rosé (UK/EU) vinyl (all vinyl color editions whilst stock lasts!).
Bret McKenzie is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning musician who is most well-known for his band Flight of the Conchords and their eponymous television show. He is internationally renowned for singing and writing funny, strange, and unique songs primarily for film and television. Bret’s songs have been featured in The Muppets, The Simpsons, and most recently, with the song “Could This Be Love” in the box-office hit, A Minecraft Movie. His songs have also been sung by Celine Dion, Lizzo, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brittany Howard, Homer and Lisa Simpson, Fred Armisen, Miss Piggy, Amy Adams, Jason Segal, Ricky Gervais, Benee, Isabela Merced, Spongebob Squarepants, Tony Bennett, Mickey Rooney, and more (read full bio at Sub Pop).
What People Have Said About Bret McKenzie:
“A softly beguiling introduction.” [“All I Need”] CLASH
“A joyful, carefree celebration of love…” [“All I Need”] EXCLAIM!
“Baroque-pop delight. Evocative of Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman at their most extroverted. McKenzie’s songs provide great warmth.” Uncut
“While there is unquestionably great wit at play, there is also sincerity and real tenderness.” The Guardian
“The songs grapple with today’s problems, but they’re every bit as charming, silly and heartfelt as one would expect from the motherflippin’ Rhymenoceros.” EXCLAIM!
“Drenched in Americana, dipping into ragtime pop and melancholy piano balladry in the vein of Randy Newman, Billy Joel, Harry Nilsson and Tom Petty…” NME
“A softly beguiling introduction.” [“All I Need”] CLASH
“A joyful, carefree celebration of love…” [“All I Need”] EXCLAIM!
“Baroque-pop delight. Evocative of Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman at their most extroverted. McKenzie’s songs provide great warmth.” Uncut
“While there is unquestionably great wit at play, there is also sincerity and real tenderness.” The Guardian
“The songs grapple with today’s problems, but they’re every bit as charming, silly and heartfelt as one would expect from the motherflippin’ Rhymenoceros.” EXCLAIM!
“Drenched in Americana, dipping into ragtime pop and melancholy piano balladry in the vein of Randy Newman, Billy Joel, Harry Nilsson and Tom Petty…” NME

Bret McKenzie
Freak Out City
Tracklisting:
1. Bethnal Green Blues
2. Freak Out City
3. The Only Dream I Know
4. All the Time
5. That’s the Way the World Goes ‘Round
6. All I Need
7. Eyes on the Sun
8. Too Young
9. Highs and Lows
10. Shouldna Come Here Tonight