Today, Monday, February 5th, Shabazz Palaces is sharing “Myths Of The Occult,” a hypnotic new track featuring DC-rapper Japreme Magnetic and is from Exotic Birds of Prey, his new seven-song mini-album, out March 29th worldwide from Sub Pop.
Exotic Birds of Prey is the follow-up to Robed in Rareness, his well-received album from October 2023. Robed was released on all DSPs and will also be available on CD/LP formats on March 29th, 2024.
Shabazz Palaces is also announcing European and UK dates in support of Robed in Rareness and Exotic Birds of Prey, which begin April 27th in Paris, France at Le Petit Bain and currently end May 22nd in Braga, PT at Gnration. Preceding these dates, Shabazz Palaces will also appear at My Morning Jacket’s “One Big Holiday” at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, April 4th-7th, 2024.
Sat. Apr. 27 - Paris, FR - Le Petit Bain Tue. Apr. 30 - Lille, FR - Aeronef Wed. May 01 - Brussels, BE - AB Club Thu. May 02 - Ramsgate, UK - Music Hall in Fri. May 03 - Dublin, IE - Sugar Club Sat. May 04 - Leeds, UK - Headrow House Sun. May 05 - Manchester, UK - YES Pink Room Mon. May 06 - Brighton, UK - Patterns Tue. May 07 - London, UK - Village Underground Thu. May 09 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso Sat. May 11 - Copenhagen, DK - Huset Sun. May 12 - Hamburg, DE - Turmzimmer Mon. May 13 - Berlin, DE - Frannz Club Tue. May 14 - Prague, CZ - Meet Factory Thu. May 16 - Geneva, CH - L’Usine Sun. May 19 - San Sebastian, ES - Dabadaba Mon. May 20 - Madrid, ES - Cafe Berlin Tue. May 21 - Lisbon, PT - B. Leza Wed. May 22 - Braga, PT - Gnration
Shabazz Palaces is masterminded by vocalist and producer Ishmael Butler, whose unstinting drive to reimagine hip-hop – even as he enjoys his fifth decade on Earth – remains undimmed.
Exotic Birds of Prey furthers the modus operandi of its predecessor, Robed in Rareness – a respectful eye on the past, an embrace of an ever-evolving present, and its feet are firmly planted in the future. Where Robed… warped sounds like shoegaze and ambient music into the Shabazz Palaces multiverse, Exotic… cross-pollinates these elements with twisted electro and funk vibes.
This new endeavor features collaborations with the likes of Stas THEE Boss, Irene Barber, the aforementioned Japreme Magnetic, OC Notes, Cobra Coil, Purple Tape Nate, and Lavarr the Starr.
Exotic Birds of Prey was produced by Shabazz Palaces, mixed by Erik Blood, and engineered by Ishmael Butler and Blood at Studio4 West in Venice, California, with mastering by Warren Defever at Third Man Mastering.
Exotic Birds of Prey and Robed in Rareness are now available to preorder from Sub Pop. LP preorders for each release in North America from megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser Editions for Exotic Birds of Prey on Translucent White vinyl and Robed in Rareness on Translucent Ruby vinyl.
In the UK and Europe, LP orders from Mega Mart 2 (the new, UK-based sibling site to the world-famous Sub Pop Mega Mart) and independent retail stores will receive the Loser Editions for Exotic Birds of Prey on Cream White vinyl and Robed in Rareness on Red vinyl.
NPR Music called Robedin Rareness “Enchanting and subversive…” while Pitchfork offered this, “The futurism of Shabazz Palaces has always been interwoven with the past and present, their songs scintillating tapestries of old-school shit talk, proggy psychedelia, and melodic flossing. Robed in Rareness is draped in this multiplicity as Butler and a team of close collaborators swagger across eras of rap.”
Shabazz Palaces “Myths Of The Occult (Feat. Japreme Magnetic)” Single Artwork
Shabazz Palaces Exotic Birds Of Prey
Tracklisting 1. Exotic BOP (feat. Purple Tape Nate) 2. Angela (feat. Stas THEE Boss & Irene Barber) 3. Myths Of The Occult (feat. Japreme Magnetic) 4. Goat Me (feat. Cobra Coil) 5. Well Known Nobody (feat. OCnotes) 6. Synth Dirt 7. Take Me To Your Leader (feat. Lavarr the Starr)
February 5th through 8th, catch legendary skinsman Dan Peters of famed rock outfit Mudhoney on live tele-tube and streaming beams sitting in with the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers on NBC.
Peters joins a long line of world-class drummers who have sat behind band leader/comedian Fred Armisen’s drum kit on Meyers’ NBC late-night show since 2015. Each week, the 8G Band welcomes a gifted player to join the band to play the show’s themes, compose original music for guest walk-ons and commercial breaks, and keep the overall energy of the studio audience elevated throughout the taping.
2023 was a banger year for the one and only Mudhoney, who released their mind-melting album Plastic Eternity on Sub Pop. They toured extensively throughout Australia & North America, and April 7th was declared Mudhoney Day in King County, WA. The official proclamation highlighted their contributions to the Seattle music scene and beyond, crediting them for “35 years of brilliant musical mayhem.”
Additionally, the band found themselves wreathed in year-end accolades on Louder Than War, Uproxx, and Aquarium Drunkard lists, this last of which described Plastic Eternity as, “Wild, spiraling psychedelia, sharp-toothed political commentary, potty humor, dogs—this 11th album from Mudhoney has it all. Dive into the third-eye opening ‘Almost Everything,’ with its unhinged squall, chuckle grimly to word-playing ‘Cry Me an Atmospheric River,’ or enjoy a full-on belly laugh to sardonic but meaning-it ‘Little Dogs.’ These punk grunge founding fathers aren’t done yet.”
Mudhoney is hard at work plotting some exciting news for 2024, so stay close, follow along, and set your DVRs for February 5th to watch Dan tear it up on late-night TV.
Late Night With Seth Meyers airs weeknights on NBC at 12:35 AM EST/PST. Stream current and past episodes on Peacock.
What Do We Do Now, the latest effort from world-famous stoic maestro J Mascis, is available worldwide today via Sub Pop Records. What Do We Do Now features the standout singles “Can’t Believe We’re Here,” “Set Me Down” and “Right Behind You.”What Do We Do Now has received accolades from Guitar World, Brooklyn Vegan, Stereogum, MOJO, and Uncut, who call this new collection of songs “Mascis’ most fully formed and direct solo set to date.” Celebrating this new release, you can now watch the “Old Friends” video directed by Geddy Ruxpin.
J has added a North American show on March 9th at The Drake in his hometown of Amherst, MA, and newly announced UK and European dates in April. He will also be playing two solo headline shows in Australia, which coincidentally happens during a run with his other band, Dinosaur Jr. The dates include Sydney’s Liberty Hall on Tuesday, February 20th, and Brisbane at The Triffid on Saturday, February 24th. See below for a full list of shows.
Tue. Feb. 20 - Sydney, NSW - Liberty Hall Sat. Feb. 24 - Brisbane, - The Triffid Sun. Mar. 09 - Amherst, MA - The Drake Thu. Apr. 02 - Antwerp, BE - Trix Club Wed. Apr. 03 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso Tolhuistuin Fri. Apr. 05 - Berlin, DE - Peter Edel Sun. Apr. 07 - London, UK - EartH Mon. Apr. 08 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla Wed. Apr. 10 - Glasgow, UK - Garage Fri. Apr. 12 - Dublin, IR - The Button Factory
What Do We Do Now’s lead single, “Can’t Believe We’re Here,” is currently #14 on the Billboard AAA chart, seeing strong support from the likes of WXPN/Philadelphia, KEXP/Seattle, WFUV/New York, KCSN/Los Angeles, KBCO/Denver, and The Current/Minneapolis.
What people are saying about J Mascis: “a record of beautifully put-together songs” - The Quietus
“…What Do We Do Now, Mascis has created some of his best work outside Dinosaur Jr. His gently emotive voice, halfway between a croon and a croak, carries a set of acoustic-leaning folk-rock songs that are punctuated by Mascis’s unfurling guitar solos and some pummelling percussion.” - The Guardian
“Mascis sure knows the power of simple words… it’s an LP of insight and empathy, a hand on the shoulder that says: ‘Yeah, me too.’” - [4 out of 5] MOJO
“In contrast to his Dinosaur Jr. material, it’s a bit more acoustic, but it’s still sure to please fans of any of the alt-rock-god’s work because there’s a wild fuzzed-out solo in the middle. And it rocks.” - Guitar.com
“It all sounds so perfect with Mascis’ weary vocals and, just when you’re thinking this is a viable new direction for him, he lets a ragged solo rip to remind you who’s making this racket.” - Brooklyn Vegan
“A continually absorbing counterpoint to his work with Dinosaur Jr, J Mascis’ solo output finds the guitarist leaning towards his acoustic. Effects pedals are never far away, however, and he wails on this new release.” - CLASH
Tracklisting: 1. Can’t Believe We’re Here 2. What Do We Do Now 3. Right Behind You 4. You Don’t Understand Me 5. I Can’t Find You 6. Old Friends 7. It’s True 8. Set Me Down 9. Hangin Out 10. End Is Gettin Shaky
On February 16th, the Atlanta trio Omni will release their latest and greatest album, Souvenir for Sub Pop. Following their previously released singles, “Exacto” and “Plastic Pyramid (Feat. Izzy Glaudini of Automatic), comes the spellbinding visualizer for their latest track, “INTL Waters,” which was created by the band’s drummer, Chris Yonker.
The band shares about the song: ‘INTL Waters’ came together quickly with minimal intentions but soon grew lush with melodies and decadent piano flourishes. Thinking about the sadness of villains as they float around between imaginary borders seemed interesting and amusing to minimize. We hope you enjoy this left turn as much as we do.”
As previously shared, Omni has also announced headline shows supporting Souvenir, with a North American East Coast run from February 28th - March 15th and UK and Ireland dates from April 10th- April 20th. More dates to be announced; see below for a full list of shows.
North America Sat. Feb. 24 - Atlanta, GA - The EARL ^ Tue. Feb. 27 - Richmond, VA - The Camel ^ Wed. Feb. 28 - Washington, DC - Songbryd ^ Thu. Feb. 29 - Philadelphia, PA - PhilaMOCA Fri. Mar. 01 - Kingston, NY - Tubby’s Sat. Mar. 02 - Queens, NY - TV Eye*! Mon. Mar. 04 - Boston, MA - The Rockwell* Tue. Mar. 05 - Winooski, VT - Monkey House* Wed. Mar. 06 - Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa* Thu. Mar. 07 - Toronto, ON - The Garrison* Fri. Mar. 08 - Cleveland, OH - Happy Dog* Sat. Mar. 09- Chicago, IL - Schuba’s* Mon. Mar. 15 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia*
*This Is Lorelei ^ = Olivia O. != Vessel
United Kingdom Wed. Apr. 10 - Brighton, UK - The Green Door Store Thu. Apr. 11 - Bristol, UK - Strange Brew Fri. Apr. 12 - Falmouth, UK - Cornish Bank Sun. Apr. 14 - Dublin, IE - Workman’s Cellar Mon. Apr. 15 - Glasgow, UK - Hug & Pint Tue. Apr. 16 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club Wed. Apr. 17 - Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute Thu. Apr. 18 - Birmingham, UK - Hare & Hounds Fri. Apr. 19 - Margate, UK - Where Else? Sat. Apr. 20 - London, UK - Moth Club
Souvenir can now be pre-ordered worldwide from Sub Pop. LP orders in North America from the Sub Pop Mega Mart and the UK and Europe from Mega Mart 2 (the new European sibling to the Sub Pop Mega Mart) will receive the limited Loser Edition on Transparent Silver Souvenir Swirl (while supplies last).
What people are saying about Omni: “‘Exacto’ boasts a stiff-necked riff and a jolting rhythm section, one that builds an unrelenting drive at the core of the track.” - So Young Magazine
“Exacto,” features their precision, angular sound, but everything feels punched-up, from the drums to the big hooks” - Brooklyn Vegan
“There’s a pleasant kind of straightforward attitude toward ‘Exacto,’ one that welcomes an easy indie rock sound outside of the discordant guitar lines.” - Far Out
”Souvenir finds Guitarist Frankie Broyles, singer/bassist Philip Frobos, and drummer Chris Yonker converting their creative fuel into sharp, driving songs that land immediately, sporting chopping riffs, staccato beats, and wiry melodies.” - Kool Rock Radio
Souvenir can now be pre-ordered worldwide from Sub Pop. LP orders in North America from the Sub Pop Mega Mart and the UK and Europe from Mega Mart 2 (the new European sibling to the Sub Pop Mega Mart) will receive the limited Loser Edition on Transparent Silver Souvenir Swirl (while supplies last).
Today, Wednesday, January 24th, marks the release of brand new Sub Pop Singles Club Vol. 8 contributions from Mary Jane Dunphe and Vanishing Twin – both available now on all DSPs and as limited-edition vinyl 7” singles.
Mary Jane Dunphe is a solo artist and poet based in New York City. She released a few singles during 2023, culminating in the fall release of her debut album, Stage of Love, on Pop Wig (The title track was included in Pitchfork’s 100 Best Songs of 2023 list). Mary Jane is originally from Washington State and sang for the great Olympia punk band Vexx from 2010 to 2016. She’s been involved in several other musical projects, including CCFX, CC Dust, and The County Liners.
Dunphe says, “Both of these songs were written and recorded by me in my bedroom (except for a day when I had to record in my friend Luke’s room (Free Advice) to get out of my own head.) They’re made with what I had lying around; a bass, some chimes, a single maraca, some breaks I had been messing with, and a soft synth. ‘Fix Me’ is an internal stutter of feeling that there is something wrong inside, and all you can do is feel it out with a song. ‘Seasons’ goes outside and finds that in the face of societal and environmental collapse, the dissolving of seasons and our connection to the earth, that love for love’s sake of everything is a tether keeping me on the ground.”
Vanishing Twin was initially formed by the singer and multi-instrumentalist Cathy Lucas in 2015 and is now the tightly honed, London-based collective of Lucas, the drummer Valentina Magaletti, and the bassist Susumu Mukai. Harnessing the diverse backgrounds and touchstones of its members—Lucas’ left-field songcraft, Magaletti’s singular approaches to experimental percussion, and Mukai’s long history in the production of electronic music—over nearly a dozen releases since 2016, the band has refined a hypnotic sound at the juncture of minimalism, kosmische, post-punk, and dream-laden, psychedelic pop. The lyrics for the song “Life Drummer” are adapted from a chapter from The Listening Book by W.A. Mathieu, also called “Life Drummer.”
You can still subscribe to the Sub Pop Singles Club Vol. 8 now to get twelve super-limited 7” vinyl records featuring exclusive music by today’s finest musicians! It’s limited to a mere 835 subscriptions because it’s volume 8, and 2023 marked Sub Pop’s 35th birthday! You’ll get the aforementioned 7”s from Mary Jane Dunphe and Vanishing Twin, along with singles from SUNN O))), Telehealth, Thrash Palace (feat. EMA, Vice Cooler, Sarah Register), Gaye Su Akyol, Jessica Winter & Jonathan Snipes, Margaritas Podridas, Brontez Purnell, and Suki Waterhouse (which includes her collaboration with Belle & Sebastian). The final two singles for Volume 8 will be from the Parisian band En Attendant Ana (who released one of the best albums of 2023, according to TIME Magazine), and haha same (the new collaboration between Greta Kline of Frankie Cosmos and Cody Fitzgerald of Stolen Jars), both of which are due in February. And, to top it all off, you’ll get a lavish storage box, with art by @oldsweaty, to keep the records together.
Computer users: fear not! You will also get digital downloads of the tracks through your Sub Pop Mega Mart account. Hear music from the series via the Singles Club playlist, and subscribe here.
Lastly, fans of the band Telehealth can watch their new video for “Mindtrap,” the official video from their installment of Sub Pop Singles Club, Vol. 8, tomorrow, Thursday, January 25th, on YouTube.
