Metric are slated to embark on a Canadian tour with Death Cab for Cutie later this month, but before that string of shows begins, the band's Joshua Winstead has unveiled plans for an upcoming solo album.
The Metric bassist and synth player will release MMXX on June 3 through Royal Cut Records. It will be available through his website for a pay-what-you-want price.
The new material arose from a desire to show off his love of singing, setting out to "establish my own voice" on the upcoming set of songs. MMXX was primarily recorded Mission Sound in Brooklyn and, save for a bit of help on live drums, Winstead wrote, produced and played the entire record himself — contributing the vocals, piano, guitar, bass, synthesizers, harmonium and trumpet.
As for the album's title, it references some of Winstead's personal heroes and his own heritage.
"MM stands for Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr., while the two X's have a double meaning representing love and death," he explains. "These two men loved you in different ways and fought for you in different ways, and they essentially died for the same reasons. Growing up as a biracial person, it was a deep and difficult thing to figure out what it means to be both black and white. The record among other things has a lot to do with coming to terms with racism and generally being an empathetic person."
The 11 new songs also tackle themes like love and overcoming fear. You'll find the record's full tracklisting down below. Beyond that, get your first listen to Winstead's solo work by watching the exclusive video premiere of "One Heart." The live video captures the musician alone with his piano, introducing listeners to his personal, heartfelt one-man material.
In addition to the upcoming tour dates with Death Cab for Cutie, Winstead will perform solo for an upcoming show in New York.
MMXX:
1. One Heart
2. Beautiful Prison
3. A Poison Cup
4. Games
5. What's What
6. Frozen Lakes
7. The Streets
8. Cold Battle
9. The Time It Takes
10. Here We Are
11. Complications
Tour dates:
03/12 New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall
The Metric bassist and synth player will release MMXX on June 3 through Royal Cut Records. It will be available through his website for a pay-what-you-want price.
The new material arose from a desire to show off his love of singing, setting out to "establish my own voice" on the upcoming set of songs. MMXX was primarily recorded Mission Sound in Brooklyn and, save for a bit of help on live drums, Winstead wrote, produced and played the entire record himself — contributing the vocals, piano, guitar, bass, synthesizers, harmonium and trumpet.
As for the album's title, it references some of Winstead's personal heroes and his own heritage.
"MM stands for Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr., while the two X's have a double meaning representing love and death," he explains. "These two men loved you in different ways and fought for you in different ways, and they essentially died for the same reasons. Growing up as a biracial person, it was a deep and difficult thing to figure out what it means to be both black and white. The record among other things has a lot to do with coming to terms with racism and generally being an empathetic person."
The 11 new songs also tackle themes like love and overcoming fear. You'll find the record's full tracklisting down below. Beyond that, get your first listen to Winstead's solo work by watching the exclusive video premiere of "One Heart." The live video captures the musician alone with his piano, introducing listeners to his personal, heartfelt one-man material.
In addition to the upcoming tour dates with Death Cab for Cutie, Winstead will perform solo for an upcoming show in New York.
MMXX:
1. One Heart
2. Beautiful Prison
3. A Poison Cup
4. Games
5. What's What
6. Frozen Lakes
7. The Streets
8. Cold Battle
9. The Time It Takes
10. Here We Are
11. Complications
Tour dates:
03/12 New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall