My Morning Jacket Drops Dark & Driving New Single ‘Squid Ink’

My Morning Jacket unveiled their hard-hitting new single, “Squid Ink,” along with a video for the song directed by Danny Clinch. “Squid Ink” is the second preview of the Louisville-based band’s 10th studio album, is, which arrives on March 21 via ATO Records.

“The idea behind ‘Squid Ink’ is that certain people carry a negativity that fills the room like a squid shooting ink into the water,” explained frontman Jim James, who revealed that the tune developed from basement jam he had with drummer Patrick Hallahan. “It’s about trying to get out of those murky waters by believing in yourself, and when Patrick and I were jamming I got the idea to sing part of the chorus really low — almost like putting a beard on the face of the vocal.”

Patrick Hallahan and bassist Tom Blankenship lay down a propulsive groove on “Squid Ink” over which Jim James sings. James and fellow guitarist Carl Broemel intertwine the riff at heart of the song while keyboardist Bo Koster adds swirls of synth. “Squid Ink” appears to have plenty of places for the band to improvise in concert.

Watch My Morning Jacket’s trippy “Squid Ink” video below:

My Morning Jacket traveled a different path for is as they brought in Brendan O’Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam) to produce the 10-track collection. Previously, Jim James produced or co-produced the band’s studio albums. “Squid Ink” comes on the heels of the LP’s lead single, “Time Waited.”

Last week, My Morning Jacket announced their spring tour. The month-long jaunt begins on April 1 in Chattanooga, Tennessee and continues through the band’s appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 4.