Small Black first emerged as fuzz-loving chillwavers, but they've since gravitating towards a cleaner, more sparkling sound. The latest step in their evolution is almost upon us, as Best Blues will be out on October 14 through Jagjaguwar.
The album was recorded at the band's own Brooklyn home studio, nicknamed 222. The results were mixed by Nicholas Vernhes (Deerhunter, the War on Drugs) and feature trumpet contributions from Darby Cicci of the Antlers. Those horns, along with acoustic guitar and piano, make for a slightly different soundscape that the predominantly electric palette of the group's past work.
A press release notes that the album focuses on the topic of loss; this theme encompasses the loss of family mementos that occurred when Hurricane Sandy struck frontman Josh Kolenik's family home on Long Island home in 2012. The album cover is a photo that Kolenik rescued from the disaster.
The singer said in a statement, "I spent months trying to scan all these images and letters, most covered with ocean dirt, and in doing so discovered what people often find in their family's past: that they are a hell of a lot like those who'd come before." For a taste of the new album, hear the cinematically serene synth-pop track "Boys Life" in the player below.
Also below, check out the tracklist for Best Blues along with Small Black's tour schedule. The North American fall trip includes lots of U.S. shows plus stops in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. They will be joined on the road by Painted Palms.
This album is the follow-up the 2013 LP Limits of Desire and the 2014 EP Real People.
Best Blues:
1. Personal Best
2. No One Wants It to Happen to You
3. Boys Life
4. The Closer I Look
5. Big Ideas, Pt. 2
6. Back at Belle's
7. Between Leos
8. Checkpoints
9. Smoke Around the Bend
10. XX Century
Tour dates:
10/11 Richmond, VA - Strange Matter *
10/13 Atlanta, GA - The Earl *
10/14 New Orleans, LA - Gasa Gasa *
10/16 Austin, TX - Red 7 *
10/17 Dallas, TX - Club Dada *
10/20 Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar *
10/21 San Diego, CA - Casbah
10/23 Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy Theatre
10/24 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
10/26 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge *
10/27 Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret *
10/28 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile (Back Bar) *
10/29 Boise, ID - Neurolux *
10/30 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge *
10/31 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge *
11/2 Kansas City, MO - The Tank Room *
11/3 Iowa City, IA - The Mill *
11/4 Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry *
11/6 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall *
11/7 Detroit, MI - UFO Factory *
11/8 Toronto, ON - The Garrison *
11/10 Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa *
11/11 Burlington, TV - Signal Kitchen *
11/12 Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall *
11/21 Brooklyn, NY - Baby's All Right *
* with Painted Palms
The album was recorded at the band's own Brooklyn home studio, nicknamed 222. The results were mixed by Nicholas Vernhes (Deerhunter, the War on Drugs) and feature trumpet contributions from Darby Cicci of the Antlers. Those horns, along with acoustic guitar and piano, make for a slightly different soundscape that the predominantly electric palette of the group's past work.
A press release notes that the album focuses on the topic of loss; this theme encompasses the loss of family mementos that occurred when Hurricane Sandy struck frontman Josh Kolenik's family home on Long Island home in 2012. The album cover is a photo that Kolenik rescued from the disaster.
The singer said in a statement, "I spent months trying to scan all these images and letters, most covered with ocean dirt, and in doing so discovered what people often find in their family's past: that they are a hell of a lot like those who'd come before." For a taste of the new album, hear the cinematically serene synth-pop track "Boys Life" in the player below.
Also below, check out the tracklist for Best Blues along with Small Black's tour schedule. The North American fall trip includes lots of U.S. shows plus stops in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. They will be joined on the road by Painted Palms.
This album is the follow-up the 2013 LP Limits of Desire and the 2014 EP Real People.
Best Blues:
1. Personal Best
2. No One Wants It to Happen to You
3. Boys Life
4. The Closer I Look
5. Big Ideas, Pt. 2
6. Back at Belle's
7. Between Leos
8. Checkpoints
9. Smoke Around the Bend
10. XX Century
Tour dates:
10/11 Richmond, VA - Strange Matter *
10/13 Atlanta, GA - The Earl *
10/14 New Orleans, LA - Gasa Gasa *
10/16 Austin, TX - Red 7 *
10/17 Dallas, TX - Club Dada *
10/20 Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar *
10/21 San Diego, CA - Casbah
10/23 Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy Theatre
10/24 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
10/26 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge *
10/27 Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret *
10/28 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile (Back Bar) *
10/29 Boise, ID - Neurolux *
10/30 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge *
10/31 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge *
11/2 Kansas City, MO - The Tank Room *
11/3 Iowa City, IA - The Mill *
11/4 Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry *
11/6 Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall *
11/7 Detroit, MI - UFO Factory *
11/8 Toronto, ON - The Garrison *
11/10 Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa *
11/11 Burlington, TV - Signal Kitchen *
11/12 Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall *
11/21 Brooklyn, NY - Baby's All Right *
* with Painted Palms
