In the intervening years since the release of their last album, Embryonic, The Flaming Lips have been prolifically been releasing singles in all formats (from traditional vinyl to less traditional gummy skulls) and collaborative EPs and singles. They seemed so happy working in this manner that we might have wondered if they would ever return to the album format.
Gladly, they have opted to release a new LP – their 13th – in a few months. The album takes a simple but very Flaming Lips-appropriate name: The Terror. The album will comprise nine new songs and will be released through Warner Bros. on April 1st.
Band leader Wayne Coyne calls The Terror a “bleak, disturbing record.” The full quote reads:
“Why would we make this music that is The Terror – this bleak, disturbing record…?? I don’t really want to know the answer that I think is coming: that WE were hopeless, WE were disturbed and, I think, accepting that some things are hopeless… or letting hope in one area die so that hope can start to live in another?? Maybe this is the beginning of the answer.”
Make of that what you will. The press release itself is a little more explicit, saying “The album is comprised of nine original compositions that reflect a darker-hued spectrum than previous works along with a more inward-looking lyrical perspective than one might expect.”
If we’re going to take anyone at their word about something being terrifying it’d be Wayne Coyne – you know that dude has been through and seen some shit.
The non-album track “The Sun Blows Up Today” will be released on February 3rd, and we’ll keep you posted on any other developments and tracks to be released from The Terror. You can check out the typically gorgeous album art below.
