It’s been 5 years since Yo La Tengo released an album of new material. Fade was released in January of 2013, and now in January of 2018 the New Jersey indie rock stalwarts have announced they are dropping a brand new album on March 16th with longtime label Matador Records. There’s A Riot Going On sees YLT heading into epic territory, playing with all manner of sound, from pure noise to absolute beauty. Check out “YOU ARE HERE”, “SHADES OF BLUE”, “SHE MAY, SHE MIGHT”, AND “OUT OF THE POOL” below:
In regards to the album,
For Yo La Tengo this is a slow-motion action painting, and Georgia Hubley, Ira Kaplan and James McNew did it all themselves, in their rehearsal studio, with no outside engineer (John McEntire later did the mix). They did not rehearse or jam together beforehand; they turned on the recorder and let things coalesce. Songs came together over long stretches, sometimes as much as a year going by between parts. You’d never guess this, since the layers are finessed with such a liquid brush. You’d imagine most of the songs had sprung forth whole, since they will enter your head that way. Within two listens you will be powerless to resist the magnetic draw of “Shades of Blue,” will involuntarily hear “She May, She Might” on your internal jukebox first thing in the morning and “Let’s Do It Wrong” late at night. While there’s a riot going on you will feel capable of bobbing through like a cork.
As well as a new album, Yo La Tengo will have a run of UK concert dates. Check below for those. There’s a Riot Going On is released on March 16th on Matador Records. You can preorder the album here.
29.4 – Glasgow, UK – SWG3
30.4 – Manchester, UK – Academy
01.5 – Birmingham, UK – Town Hall
03.5 – Leeds, UK – Church Leeds
04.5 – London, UK – Royal Festival Hall
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