Arab Strap Announce Their First New Album in 16 Years

Hear "Compersion Pt. 1" from their upcoming 'As Days Get Dark'

BY Brock ThiessenPublished Nov 24, 2020

Earlier this year, long-gone Scottish duo, Arab Strap broke their lengthy silence with the new single "The Turning of Our Bones." Now, they are ready to give us an entire new album — marking their first in 16 years.

Called As Days Get Dark, the record will arrive on March 5 via Rock Action. This will mark Arab Strap's seventh studio album and their first full-length effort since 2005's The Last Romance.

"It's about hopelessness and darkness," said Aidan Moffat in a statement. "But in a fun way."

"The Turning of Our Bones" will kick off the album, and the duo have now shared the record's "Compersion Pt. 1," which you can hear below via a new lyric video.

According to Moffat, the newly shared track "depicts a quest to find the ever-elusive unicorn; to bond fluidly — and safely! — with the like-minded and adventurous, in the comforting arms of an anonymous hotel... and the stark realization that you never really wanted it."

Of Arab Strap getting back together for the new album, the duo's Malcolm Middleton stated, "We've had enough distance from our earlier work to reappraise and dissect the good and bad elements of what we did. Not many bands get to do this, so it's great to split up."


He added: "There's no point getting back together to release mediocrity." 

As Days Get Dark finds Arab Strap getting back with producer Paul Savage, and you can check out the tracklist below. That's the album cover up above.



As Days Get Dark:

1. The Turning of Our Bones

2. Another Clockwork Day

3. Compersion Pt. 1

4. Bluebird

5. Kebabylon

6. Tears on Tour

7. Here Comes Comus!

8. Fable of the Urban Fox

9. I Was Once a Weak Man

10. Sleeper

11. Just Enough

Pre-order As Days Get Dark.

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