The Athens, Georgia born band of Montreal, has announced a new album. “aethermead” will be their 20th studio album, following the release of their 2024 album “Lady On The Cusp.” It comes out on June 5 via Polyvinyl Record Co.
The record was teased on April 2 with the single, “When.” A second single titled “Already Dreaming” released on May 5. Different to the band’s usual electronic style, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Barnes takes a more punk sonic approach with the recently released singles.
The upcoming album was recorded in Brooklyn recording studio the Honey Jar with members of his live band; drummer Clayton Rychlik, keyboardist Jojo Glidwell and bassist Ross Brand. Engineer Drew Vandenberg handled the record engineering during the sessions.
Barnes referred to “aethermead” as personal and confessional “to an embarrassing degree.”
The album expresses a transitional period in Barnes’ life. Following his relocation from Vermont to Brooklyn, the record centers around the split between him and his then-fiancé.
“I’ve always had a romantic fascination with New York, but for forever I couldn’t figure out how to make it work. The timing was perfect this time around,” Barnes said in the press release for “aethermead.”
Barnes said that he has fallen in love with his new environment and what it has offered for his mental health. The title, “aethermead,” draws direct inspiration from where he lives, the Nethermead area within Prospect Park where he takes his dog for daily walks.
He describes the new single “When” as a chronicle of the relationship he was in right after moving to New York City and what he discovered about himself in the process.
“I’m hiding behind a shield of sexual bravado and pretending as if my only needs are physical.” Barnes said in the press release. “It’s very transparent that I’m longing for much more than just libidinal fulfillment, but those other things are being withheld. It’s much easier to say ‘When can I f##k you again?’ than it is to say ‘When will you be loving, affectionate and emotionally generous and make me feel whole again?’”
The single “Already Dreaming” on the other hand, is about his fiancé before they separated. In Vents Magazine’s article “of Montreal Unveils ‘Already Dreaming’ Single/Video | Directed by Kevin’s Daughter, Beatrice Barnes,” Barnes explained that the song was a sad omen for the end of his 8-year relationship.
Both songs released alongside a music video. “When” being directed by Annika White and Carl Knight and “Already Dreaming” being directed by Beatrice Barnes.
The track list for “aethermead” includes 13 songs: “Already Dreaming,” “Wanting on Air,” “Listen to Music and Cry,” “My Zhe Zhe,” “Take the Form,” “When,” “Hack it Up,” “Lacan in the Family,” “Having a Moment,” “From the Font of You,” “To Nothing’s Reward,” “Now We Cringe at the Thought” and “Dismissal Mosaics.”
of Montreal recently announced a U.S. summer tour with garage/punk band CorMae and indie rock band Sloppy Jane at select shows.
