Unknown Mortal Orchestra have shared another taste from their upcoming double album with the downbeat “Nadja”.
The track has a simplistic beauty, revelling in the quiet sway of the psychedelic rock band’s gentle rhythm. It certainly fits in with UMO bandleader Ruban Nielson’s description of their new double album, V, which he says was influenced by West Coast AOR, weirdo pop, and Hawaiian Hapa-haole music (Nielson’s mother hails from Hawaii).
UMO’s first double album contains “14 singalong anthems, cinematic instrumentals, and mischievous pop songs,” and the record was fully realised with the aid of Nielson’s father and longstanding UMO bandmate Jake Portrait.
“In Hawaii, everything shifted off of me and my music,” Nielson explains. “Suddenly, I was spending more time figuring out what others need and what my role is within my family. I also learned that things I thought were true of myself are bigger than I thought. My way of making mischief – that’s not just me – that’s my whole Polynesian side. I thought I was walking away from music to focus on family, but the two ended up connecting.”
“Nadja” arrives alongside a music video, directed by Vira-Lata, that documents the lives of two young women; they catch stolen glances, traverse lonely highways, dance nights away, before the clip concludes with a warm embrace in shallow waters.
“We were in awe of the power of the songs’ simplicity; how its beauty rises without pretension, creating an honest and poetic testament that reaches into the heart,” Vira-Lata says about the videos for both “Nadja” and previous single “Layla”. “We wanted to match the poetic tenderness of the songs with a visually intimate storyline that felt extremely honest and showcased fleeting moments of a true friendship.”
Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s “Nadja” is out now. V is out March 17th via Jagjaguwar (pre-save/pre-order here).
