Having returned this Autumn to announce the upcoming release of long-awaited debut album West of Eden, alongside the explosive comeback singles ‘LOADED’ and ‘The West is Dead’, London based five-piece HMLTD today share the stunning animated video for new track ‘Why?’.
The story for the video was written by guitarist James, with its visuals created by Collectif 99°, an artist-led collective and organisation founded by 10 graduates of the Atelier Supérieur d’Animation in Paris.
Of the track (streaming here), front-man Henry Spychalski says: “A further mirror to the modern world we live in – via exploring the paradoxical loneliness that defines modern, urban life. Set in Tokyo, the world’s largest metropolitan city and with the verse written in Japanese the song talks about being surrounded by people but an ever increased alienation and detachment from surrounding, neighbours and relationships. As the song progresses, the chorus sounds like Japanese but in fact is gibberish – mimicking the vertigo of detachment. Even when one does communicate. Is anybody really listening, understanding or trying to understand?”
West of Eden, the expansive, labyrinthine debut album out 7th February 2020 via Lucky Number, has been several years in the making; a daring collection of songs created to incite conversation about proposed new visions of masculinity, the decadence of western capitalism and the violence of insecurity and repression. Across its 15 tracks, the band’s artistic vision is realised in full technicolour, with all shades of their sonic palette used to create an album that is equal parts lush and abrasive.
In addition, HMLTD have announced an album-release in-store show on February 10th at Rough Trade East and the band will also officially open Lafayette, a new venue located alongside Central St Martins in London’s King Cross. See below for all dates.
Feb 10th | London, UK @ Rough Trade East
Feb 13th | Liverpool, UK @ Arts Club
Feb 14th | Glasgow, UK @ Nice N Sleazy
Feb 15th | Edinburgh, UK @ Opium
Feb 16th | Birmingham, UK @ Sunflower Lounge
Feb 18th | Dublin, IE @ The Sound House
Feb 19th | Manchester, UK @ YES
Feb 20th | London, UK @ Lafayette
Feb 21st | Bristol, UK @ The Exchange
Feb 24th | Paris, France @ Badaboum
Feb 25th | Brussels, Belgium @ Botanique
Feb 27th | Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
Feb 28th | Berlin, Germany @ Urban Spree
Feb 29th | Hamburg, Germany @ Slot