New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Split Single, the collective project of Chicago-based musician Jason Narducy (Bob Mould Band, Superchunk, Verbow), announces their new album, Amplificado, out June 25th on Inside Outside Records. Recorded at Electrical Audio in
Chicago by Narducy (guitar/vocals), REM's Mike Mills (bass), Jon Wurster (drums), Amplificado is a tight collection of rock songs dealing with the anxiety of living through a chaotic and cruel Republican majority rule and under the limitations of a worldwide pandemic. The new album comes nearly five years after the release of Split Single's 2016 album, Metal Frames, "a powerhouse pop record that prides itself on tenacious vocals and resolute rhythm guitar" (Stereogum) recorded with Wurster and Wilco's John Sitrratt, and last year's acclaimed, Jeff Award-nominated production of Verböten, a musical inspired by Narducy's now-seminal childhood punk rock band of the same name.
In conjunction with today's announcement, Split Single presents the album's lead single, "(Nothing You Can Do To) End This Love," a message of love and support to the LGBTQ+ community. "The chords and melody for this song sounded like defiance to me," says Narducy. "I wanted to write a lyric that matched this sonic mood. The first words that came into my head were 'She loves her and he loves him.' So it ended up being an unconventional love song. I'm expressing support and joy for diverse couples everywhere, including but not only my friends that appear in the video."
The charming accompanying video was directed by Jamie Fleischel. Narducy elaborates: "I met Jamie Fleischel years ago but didn't find out until recently that he was making these great videos for
Wilco and Jeff Tweedy. He and his family joined me weekly last fall to write get-out- the-vote postcards and we grew close enough for me to feel comfortable asking him if he'd be interested in making a video. I love how he captured the unabashed joy in the song through the footage of the charismatic kids and loving couples. The visual narrative is in line with the lyrics but also evokes what many of us are feeling with vaccines, more sunshine, and the wicked witch out of office: finally something to look forward to. I hope it makes people smile and I hope it makes people feel less lonely."
Amplificado comprises some of the tightest, most direct and high-energy songwriting of Narducy's established career. The opening cut, at first listen, is a marching band instrumental teetering off the rails. The title ("caPtAIN calamIty'S crUde pRocCessiON") and sound effects are chock full of Easter eggs but the song disappears in less than a minute. The defiant "Blood Break Ground" establishes a story of breaking out from under oppression and finding a new home and purpose. Mills' bass and backing vocals are on a constant trajectory to the end alongside Wurster's propulsive power. Narducy's voice shreds to pieces as he bellows "Condescension comes with a price, tear away all lingering ties."
"Stone
Heart World" and "95 Percent" are a one-two punch of political frustrations and inner turmoil. With its punk rock take on "
Lust For Life"'s beat, the former sounds upbeat and catchy, defying the scathing lyrical take on GOP ethos: "No answers, just a way to keep ten yachts floating on school kids lost hope".
"95 Percent" closes with "whoa whoa whoa" gang vocals as if Superchunk went through a Springsteen phase. The sparse and vulnerable "Adrift" can barely pick up the pieces left behind from the bombast of the previous 3 tracks. It is a haunting poem of depression and isolation. The cellos and piano played by Alison Chesley mark the first time Jason and Alison have recorded together in 22 years (the last Verbow album was tracked in 1999).
Amplificado Tracklist:
1. caPtAIN calamIty'S crUde pRoCessiON
2. Blood Break Ground
3. Stone
Heart World
4. 95 Percent
5. Adrift
6. Bitten by the Sound
7. (Nothing You Can Do) To End This Love
8. Mangled Tusk
9.
Belly of Lead
10. Worry
11. Satellite
