On May 16th, Portland-based four piece Chromatics (Ruth Radelet, Johnny Jewel, Adam Miller & Nat Walker), share their new track/ video “Black Walls” and confirm that their 5th studio album, ‘Dear Tommy’, will finally be out in autumn this year, on Italians Do It Better.
In the self-directed video for “Black Walls,” singer Ruth holds up a copy of a broken see-through vinyl album, which in all probability refers to the incident in which Johnny Jewel (label head and producer) allegedly destroyed every copy of the “Dear Tommy” album after a near-death experience: an album that was announced almost 4 years ago. The broken album appearing on Twin Peaks promo pics just added to the sheen of mystery surrounding “Dear Tommy”. The release of the new single “Black Walls“ now coincides with official news that “Dear Tommy“ will finally be released this autumn! Strangely enough, “Black Walls” was not on the “original” tracklist for “Dear Tommy“…. like a few other songs (“Just Like You”, “Shadow”, “In Films”, and “I Can Never Be Myself When You’re Around” ) that were shared around throughout the 4 year gap.
The intro of “Black Walls” is suspended over foreboding synths and the voice of a little girl, listing all colours, starting off with black. Does this mean that all the songs on “Dear Tommy” will have a “colour theme”, covering all aspects of life in all its hues and nuances? And black is the start? The dark, dense pool that contains all colours of the spectrum? Brooding anticipation waxes in the intro, then the spacecraft finally takes off…
“Black Walls” is a moody, piece of hazy, but dark electro-pop wrapped in a 80’s neon foil, adorned with disco lights, breathy, impassive vocals, guitars reminiscent of The Cure, avalanches of retro synthesizers and a steady beat. Portentous is the word for this haunting whirl of Delphic sounds and the, impervious, unfathomable reputation of the Chromatics. It is very probable that “Dear Tommy” will leave that reputation intact.
Between Her Dreams & Oxygen
The End Is All She Ever Asked
Engines Warm
It’s Dark Outside
A Hidden Tear Behind Her Mask
Black Walls Closing In Again
Losing Sleep & Lost In Time
She’ll Close Her Eyes
& Unlock Mine
She Turns Water Into Wine
& She Says She’s No Substitute
& She’s Always Dropping Blue
& They Say There’s No Reward For You
But All Their Lies End On A Monday
Black Walls Closing In Again
Losing Sleep & Lost In Time
She’ll Close Her Eyes
& Unlock Mine
She Turns Water Into Wine
& She Says She’s No Substitute
& She’s Always Dropping Blue
& They Say There’s No Reward For You
But All Their Lies End On A Monday
They’ll Drink Theirs
I’ll Drink Mine
They’ll Drink Theirs
I’ll Drink Mine
They’ll Drink Theirs
I’ll Drink Mine
They’ll Drink Theirs
I’ll Drink Mine
Raining Pain From Black Walls
She Fills Up The Glass Again
They’ll Drink Theirs
I’ll Drink Mine
They’ll Drink Theirs
I’ll Drink Mine
She Turns Water Into Wine
She Turns Water Into Wine
She Turns Water Into Wine
She Turns Water Into Wine
