If you thought the hype surrounding London’s Black Country, New Road would die down, think again!
Fresh off of releasing their critically acclaimed debut album For The First Time back in February, which was shortlisted for this year’s Mercury Music Prize, the fascinating art-rock septet has already announced the release of their forthcoming sophomore record titled, Ants From Up There.
To celebrate the announcement of their new album, out February 4th on Ninja Tune, the band has also shared its first single, the cacophonous but magical “Chaos Space Marine”. With clumsy eruptions of saxophone via Lewis Evans darting through Georgia Ellery’s nimble violin playing, the outfit’s latest is a frolicking experience that is eager to raise a few smiles and spirits.
From post-punk to progressive pop, no realm is off-limits for BC, NR. But “Chaos Space Marine” is an apparent gesture that their days as “the second-best Slint tribute act” are over. Instead, their hearts are now seemingly set on their collective heroes, Canada’s beloved Arcade Fire, who once dominated indie music with this exact, slight baroque pop sound. This suggested bold turn might divide fans of BC, NR’s adjacent post-rock stylings and indebted Klezmer verve, but that doesn’t matter as frontperson Isaac Wood deems “Chaos Space Marine“ as “the best song we’ve ever written.”
He goes on to add: “We threw in every idea anyone had with that song,” says Wood. “So the making of it was a really fast, whimsical approach – like throwing all the shit at the wall and just letting everything stick.”
Listen to “Chaos Space Marine” below or on your preferred streaming platform,.
Ants From Up There is out through Ninja Tune on February 4 – check out the various pre-order options HERE. You can find Black Country, New Road on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
