New Choons/Video: Deerhunter - 'Monomania'

Last month it was announced much to my delight that Deerhunter would be back with new album "Monomania" in May. As a massive fan of their 2008 album "Microcastle" and the critically adored last outing "Halycon Digest" I've been eager to see what the Atlanta boys have to offer next. With singer Bradford Cox's croony side project Atlas Sound and guitarist Lockett Pundt's other band Lotus Plaza releasing relatively similar albums in the space between "Halycon Digest" I was more or less expecting the band's style to remain relatively similar to their last few with the delicate shoegazey dream pop I had grown to love. However, it seems this will certainly not be the case with the brash title track "Monomania" which was debuted on US chat show Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Firstly its noticeable that the line up of the group has changed with the departure of bassist Josh Fauver, replaced by Josh McKay, with additional guitarist Frankie Broyles also bought in to join Cox, Pundt and drummer Moses Archuleta. Additionally Bradford Cox's appearance is an evident change. Gone is the bowl cut and charmingly youthful baggy polo shirts replaced by a colourful Zebra print blazer and a dyed black shag of hair comparable to a 2007 Strange House era Faris Badwan (The Horrors). As well as this he dons bloody bandages on his hand (apparently as a tribute to his father who accidentally sawed a couple fingers off this year... I'm being serious). Sound wise "Monomania" is a change in direction with Cox himself describing it most accurately with the phrase "Nocturnal Garage Rock". Its a punky harsh sound that differs greatly from their past albums but it is a pretty welcome change. Its a good song, buzzing guitars and crashing drums get the heart pounding with Cox delivering his meanest vocals to date. Whether the whole record turns out similarly we'll have to wait and see.

"Monomania" (album) will be released May 7th on 4ad Records. You can stream the lead single below via Youtube and I've also included the live performance from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Enjoy.

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