Indie rock paragons Grandaddy are back with their first new music since 2019, with long-awaited new album on the way.
Drawing its title from a mash-up of "bluegrass" and "new wave," Blu Wav — the band's first new album in seven years, as well as their first since the death of bassist Kevin Garcia — arrives February 16 via Dangerbird.Records. It follows 2017's Last Place, as well as a 2019 standalone single "RIP Coyote Condo #5."
As the name may suggest, the record is said to feature an "inordinate amount of pedal steel," according to Grandaddy mastermind Jason Lytle. It was inspired by a drive he took through the Nevada desert, soundtracked by Patti Page's "Tennessee Waltz." Seven of the 13 tracks on Blu Wav are waltzes and the LP sees the band's first foray into true country territory, blending swaying bluegrass simplicity and dense new wave synthesizers.
Sweeping lead single "Watercooler" gives us plenty of the promised pedal steel, as well as gleaming guitars and synth splashes. "Most of my relationships have involved girls who worked in office settings," Lytle explained in a release. "This song is about the end of one, or perhaps a few, of those relationships. Listeners will also notice the pedal steel on this track and eventually on many others from the forthcoming new album. It's a first for Grandaddy, and I couldn't be more thrilled about this fact."
Watch the "Watercooler" video below, where you'll also find the album tracklist.
Blu Wav:
1. Blu Wav
2. Cabin in My Mind
3. Long as I'm Not the One
4. You're Going to Be Fine and I'm Going to Hell
5. Watercooler
6. Let's Put this Pinto on the Moon
7. On a Train or Bus
8. Jukebox App
9. Yeehaw Ai in the Year 2025
10. Ducky, Boris and Dart
11. East Yosemite
12. Nothin' to Lose
13. Blu Wav Buh Bye
Pre-order Blu Wav.
Drawing its title from a mash-up of "bluegrass" and "new wave," Blu Wav — the band's first new album in seven years, as well as their first since the death of bassist Kevin Garcia — arrives February 16 via Dangerbird.Records. It follows 2017's Last Place, as well as a 2019 standalone single "RIP Coyote Condo #5."
As the name may suggest, the record is said to feature an "inordinate amount of pedal steel," according to Grandaddy mastermind Jason Lytle. It was inspired by a drive he took through the Nevada desert, soundtracked by Patti Page's "Tennessee Waltz." Seven of the 13 tracks on Blu Wav are waltzes and the LP sees the band's first foray into true country territory, blending swaying bluegrass simplicity and dense new wave synthesizers.
Sweeping lead single "Watercooler" gives us plenty of the promised pedal steel, as well as gleaming guitars and synth splashes. "Most of my relationships have involved girls who worked in office settings," Lytle explained in a release. "This song is about the end of one, or perhaps a few, of those relationships. Listeners will also notice the pedal steel on this track and eventually on many others from the forthcoming new album. It's a first for Grandaddy, and I couldn't be more thrilled about this fact."
Watch the "Watercooler" video below, where you'll also find the album tracklist.
Blu Wav:
1. Blu Wav
2. Cabin in My Mind
3. Long as I'm Not the One
4. You're Going to Be Fine and I'm Going to Hell
5. Watercooler
6. Let's Put this Pinto on the Moon
7. On a Train or Bus
8. Jukebox App
9. Yeehaw Ai in the Year 2025
10. Ducky, Boris and Dart
11. East Yosemite
12. Nothin' to Lose
13. Blu Wav Buh Bye
Pre-order Blu Wav.