Minnesota legends Low have announced they’ll release a new album called HEY WHAT on September 10 through Sub Pop. It is their 13th album, and while that might be unlucky for some, Low are coming off the back of their most critically adored record and they’ve always courted the darkness anyway, so it suits them.
They’ve once again worked with producer BJ Burton, whose sonic innovations have helped push the band to new heights, and are again in evidence on new single “Days Like These”. Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker’s inimitable vocal combination comes radiating out of the song, underscored by electronic distortion that gives their harmony a sort of futuristic angel (of death?) sound. Whereas Double Negative could at times feel like their voices were battling against the otherworldly production (to great effect), this time it feels like they’re commanding it, using it to bolster their observations on humanity’s shortcomings. In “Days Like These”, they’re sending a message of unity through disappointment, faith in uncertain times, and acceptance that we’re living in a world that is far from perfect – but it is what you make it. The final minutes of “Days Like These” fade out into an almost-ambient passage, giving you time to reflect on the bold message of the song – while also proposing another new realm into which Low can push their sound.
The video for “Days Like These” was created by Karlos Rene Ayala, and provides a perfectly stark accompaniment. Watch it below or find the song on streaming platforms.
Low’s new album HEY WHAT arrives on September 10 through Sub Pop. You can find the band on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and they’ve also announced these dates in USA and Europe for next year:
North America 2022:
Mar. 22 – Bloomington, IN – Bishop
Mar. 25 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn
Mar. 26 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
Mar. 28 – Washington, DC – Miracle Theatre
Mar. 29 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
Mar. 31 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
Apr. 01 – Providence, RI – Columbus Theater
Apr. 02 – Montreal, QC – Theatre Fairmount
Apr. 04 – Toronto, ON – The Axis Club
Apr. 05 – Detroit, MI – Loving Touch
Apr. 08 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
UK & Europe 2022:
Apr. 25 – Edinburgh, UK – Queen’s Hall
Apr. 26 – Dublin, IE – Vicar Street
Apr. 27 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Cathedral
Apr. 28 – Brighton, UK – St. George’s Church Brighton
Apr. 29 – London, UK – St. John at Hackney Church –
Apr. 30 – Bristol, UK – Trinity
May 02 – Paris, FR – Alhambra
May 03 – Cologne, DE – Kulturkirche Köln
May 04 – Antwerp, BE – TRIX
May 05 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso
May 06 – Aarhus, DK – Voxhall
May 07 – Copenhagen, DK – Vega
May 09 – Hamburg, DE – Uebel & Gefährlich
May 10 – Berlin, DE – Festsaal Kreuzberg
May 11 – Vienna, AT – Wuk
May 12 – Bologna, IT – Teatro Duse
May 13 – Lausanne, CH- Les Docks
May 14 – Zurich, CH – Mascotte
