Hear Cerebral Ballzy’s Dave Sitek–Produced ‘Lonely as America’
Back in 2011, Cerebral Ballzy put out a self-titled debut that was roaring and heavy, channeling the blue-streak delivery of bands like Black Flag for mosh-worthy reflections on subjects as timeless as pizza, girls and beer. Power-pop chords and production by Dave Sitek on new single “Lonely as America,” however — which we’re premiering here — suggest a somewhat tweaked approach for the band, which is signed to Julian Casablancas of the Strokes’ label.
Julian Casablancas Signs Cerebral Ballzy to Cult Records
“He understood our trajectory and our melodic intent, which was no easy feat,” frontman Honor Titus tells Rolling Stone of Sitek, the TV on the Radio member currently in the news for his work on Kelis’ Food. “We’re going for this punky abrasive sound done with such a casual melody.”
“We didn’t want to write the same album with different song titles,” adds drummer Tom Kogut. “We went into writing a lot of the songs with no set plans.”
Though “Lonely” is built on a hardcore backbone that nods to Black Flag descendants and Ballzy tourmates Off!, it also features Seventies Clash grit and poppy Nerves nuances, its lyrics dropping the six-pack for lines like “No matter how much money we hold or spend/We all must come to an end.”
“‘Lonely as America’ is about the vapid existence that so many of us fall into, shrouded under the guise of everyday life,” explains Titus. “This respective track is a bit more subdued and melodic. Something no one would expect from our initial effort.”
Jaded & Faded will arrive June 17th on Cult Records. Full track list below the stream.
1. “Another Day”
2. “Fake I.D”
3. “Parade of Idiots“
4. “Better in Leather“
5. “City’s Girl“
6. “Lonely As America“
7. “Downtown“
8. “Speed Wobbles“
9. “Fast Food“
10. “Off With Your Head“
11. “Pretty In The City“
12. “Be Your Toy“
13. “All I Ever Wanted“