The incomparable U.S. Girls are back with the announcement of a new album, previewed today by the sprawling 12-minute epic "Bookends," which pays tribute to late Power Trip frontman Riley Gale.
The follow-up to 2023's Bless This Mess, Scratch It is set for release on June 20 through Royal Mountain Records / 4AD. Bandleader Meg Remy had put together a Nashville-based band for a festival performance in Hot Springs, AR — a performance that went so well that it kickstarted the journey toward the album, with Remy following the crew back to the city they'd rehearsed in.
Then, in a span of just 10 days, she and the band — Dillon Watson (D. Watusi, Savoy Motel) on guitar, Jack Lawrence (the Dead Weather, the Raconteurs) on bass, Domo Donoho on drums, and both Jo Schornikow and Tina Norwood on keys, plus harmonica hero Charlie McCoy (Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan) — recorded Scratch It live off the floor, mixed to tape with minimal overdubs.
Music City's influence is immediately apparent on the dusky, organ-laced tones of the gospel-inspired "Bookends," which arrives alongside a Caity Arthur-directed music video. Check that out below, where you'll also find the Scratch It tracklist information.
Scratch It:
1. Like James Said
2. Dear Patti
3. Firefly on the 4th of July
4. The Clearing
5. Walking Song
6. Bookends
7. Emptying the Jimador
8. Pay Streak
9. No Fruit