of Montreal Confirms 20th Studio Album ‘aethermead’ & Shares Punk-Infused ‘When’ Single

of Montreal‘s Kevin Barnes confirmed the project’s milestone 20th studio album, aethermead, arriving June 5 via Polyvinyl Record Co. The LP is previewed with the single, “When.”

aethermead expresses a transitional period in Barnes’ life. Press materials further detailed the new of Montreal record:

Barnes refers to aethermead as personal and confessional “to an embarrassing degree” – a descriptor that says less about its contents than what it took to lay them bare. Following a dual split with both his then-fiancé and isolated surroundings of Vermont, Barnes relocated to Brooklyn, effectively falling in love with his new environment while rebuilding his mental state: “I’ve always had a romantic fascination with New York, but for forever I couldn’t figure out how to make it work. The timing was perfect this time around.” The title “aethermead” itself draws direct inspiration from the sources of healing that Barnes has since embraced in his Brooklyn era; the Nethermead area within Prospect Park where he takes his dog for daily walks and his newfound meditation practice. Barnes also has an added benefit of having family nearby, serving as a balm for this current phase in his life.

To cut aethermead, Kevin convened with of Montreal touring members drummer Clayton Rychlik, keyboardist Jojo Glidwell and bassist Ross Brand at Brooklyn recording facility the Honey Jar along with engineer Drew Vandenberg.

Previewing the quartet’s work is the single “When.” Barnes spoke about of Montreal’s latest track:

“‘When’ is more a song about yearning, sadness, confusion, frustration…than it is a song about having sex. Clearly all of the things listed in the verses are the things I actually desire. I’m hiding behind a shield of sexual bravado and pretending as if my only needs are physical. It’s very transparent that I’m longing for much more than just libidinal fulfillment, but those other things are being withheld. It’s much easier to say ‘When can I fuck you again?’ than it is to say ‘When will you be loving, affectionate, and emotionally generous and make me feel whole again?'”

Check out a visualizer for “When” created by David Barnes below:

of Montreal recently announced a U.S. summer tour with CorMae and Sloppy Jane at select shows. Scroll down for routing and ticket info.