Welsh band Los Campesinos! have been working on their third album for several months now, playing songs from it at their shows and predicting an early 2010 release to those who asked. A couple of songs and videos have already dropped from the album, and now they’ve officially announced, titled, dated, and tracklisted it.
Romance is Boring will be released February 1, 2010 in all formats – digital, CD, vinyl. According to the band’s blog, “it is a record about the death and decay of the human body, sex, lost love, mental breakdown, football and, ultimately, that there probably isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel.” Pretty much like their first two albums, then. The couple of songs that have turned up online and at their shows, though, show a greater maturity and deeper melancholy than the earlier stuff – something I’m looking forward to hearing more of come February.
Here’s the video for “The Sea is a Good Place to Think of the Future,” the first track that dropped a few weeks ago. Technically, it’s not the first single (“There are Listed Buildings”), but I’m not sure what that means in the world of digital distribution. Except, I suppose, that they’re selling vinyl editions of “There are Listed Buildings” at their shows. This is shot by bassist Ellen (the official unofficial videographer of the group) and a friend, and fits beautifully with the melancholia of the song. (via LC!)
The full track listing and a couple more videos after the jump.
TRACKS:
In Medias Res
There Are Listed Buildings
Romance Is Boring
We’ve Got Your Back (Documented Minor Emotional Breakdown #2)
Plan A
200-102
Straight In At 101
Who Fell Asleep In
I Warned You: Do Not Make An Enemy Of Me
Heart Swells/100-1
I Just Sighed. I Just Sighed, Just So You Know
A Heat Rash In The Shape Of The Show Me State; or, Letters From Me To Charlotte
The Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The Future
This Is A Flag. There Is No Wind
Coda: A Burn Scar In The Shape Of The Sooner State
I cannot wait to hear a song called “I Just Sighed. I Just Sighed, Just So You Know.” Just so you know.
This is the video for “There Are Listed Buildings,” with a fun little story of a clerk plotting to crack his boss’s safe and run away with his girlfriend. Took me a couple times through to really warm to it, but the lomo-esque style is really striking. (via LC!)
And this video’s just a little fun thing they put together to introduce their new band member, Kim. Kim joins the band following the departure of vocalist/keyboardist Aleks, who left at the end of their summer tour to return to school. I’m a big fan of Aleks, but Kim certainly fits in well with the band and she’s charming in the video, so my disappointment at losing Aleks is allayed. (via LC!)
Links:
Official Site
This discussion currently has 3 responses.
October 28, 2009
“Does anybody remember laughter?”… Dark stuff and very intriguing. I really liked “Hold On Now Youngster” but this sounds miles away from that. Thanks for the heads up. Disappointed he left the group. He seems to be an imprtant part to lose.
October 28, 2009
Aleks is the redheaded girl about 7 seconds into the first video. Sorry, should’ve been more clear. It’s not as big a deal as losing Gareth would’ve been – he’s kind of the central force/songwriter behind the band, but Aleks is awesome, and so sweet. This whole upcoming album was recorded before Aleks left, so she’s on it, but I’m assuming Kim will take over all of her parts on tour and any future albums.
And yeah, Hold On Now Youngster is pure fun musically, and its lyrics about being sad and depressed come across as those of a particularly literate and ironically witty but whiny teenager. Not to say I don’t like them; I think they’re some of the most hilarious and entertaining lyrics I’ve ever heard. But these ones are different – the hurt has more depth, more realness behind it. And the music seems to be changing to reflect that, though it still has as much chaotic intricacy to it as ever.
October 29, 2009
Ah, I see. Mixed up. My oversight. Long day yesterday. All these Welsh look the same anyway…