Of Montreal has announced a new record, its twelfth. lousy with sylvianbriar (all lower case, of course) is due out Oct. 8 via Polyvinyl and promises a return to the group’s more pure and straightforward roots, with no computers used in its recording. Instead, sylvianbriar was recorded mostly live in frontman Kevin Barnes’ home studio, with a number of parts composed on the spot. It’s not exactly a novel idea, but for fans of the band's older stuff, it could be a return to form.
Some of the album’s tracks also sound promising: “raindrop in my skull” is billed as a “Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris-inspired duet” between Barnes and fellow vocalist Rebecca Cash. Lead single “fugitive air” is streaming below, and it's also just a little bit country with its prominent slide guitar.
The record will be pressed onto clear green vinyl for a limited, 1500-copies-only run available exclusively through Polyvinyl’s online store. The LPs in most stores, on the other hand, will be on 180-gram pink vinyl. Another 250 copies of a limited-edition green cassette tape will be sold via Joyful Noise Recordings.