Sebadoh, the once lo-fi side project of Dinosaur Jr. bass player Lou Barlow, are to be on our stereos/streaming from our mobile devices (delete as appropriate) once again.
Act Surprised looks to make up for the near six-year absence since the group last released music (2013’s Defend Yourself) with the latest single from the album, “sunshine“, released this week.
“sunshine” still bears all the familiar hallmarks you’ve come to love from Sebadoh; those bittersweet melodies provided by both the band and Barlow’s voice, tinged with the slightest amount of optimism. Though, as is much the case with the group, this is delivered in complete earnest.
Indeed, reading Barlow’s explanation about the song, the mood of the song reflects the topics; “[it’s] about going inside. Giving up, for the moment, on finding answers in nature or social rituals. Going inside, where I feel safe, and finding strength in intimacy.”
It’s the fourth single to be released from the 15 track album, recorded by Justin Pizzoferrato (who recorded another member of Dinosaur Jr. – 2018’s Elastic Days by J Mascis), and given the very, very high praise Pitchfork gave single “Celebrate The Void”, it’s proven that the return to Massachusetts and pressing the reset button (in his own words) has given Lou Barlow’s project another exciting lease of life.
Act Surprised is released through Dangerbird Records from May 24th. Preorders are available and the trio will be playing a selection of dates in the United Kingdom.
September 28: Brighton, UK – Patterns
September 29: London, UK – Scala
October 01: Bristol, UK – Fleece
October 02: Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy 2
October 03: Leeds, UK – Brudenell
October 04: Glasgow, UK – Broadcast
October 05: Manchester, UK – O2 Academy 2
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