Unknown Mortal Orchestra have shared the final single from the band’s forthcoming double album, V.
Titled “Meshuggah”, the track is included as part of Apple Music’s ‘New Music Daily’ and arrives just a handful of days before the release of V this Friday, March 17th.
Like the preceding single “Nadja”, UMO’s latest fits in with Ruban Nielson’s description of their new album, which he says was influenced by West Coast AOR, weirdo pop, and Hawaiian Hapa-haole music (Nielson’s mother hails from Hawaii).
V 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 explained. “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.”
Another aim of Nielson’s with this double album was “to make music and art that transcends notions of clout and cultural currency while also aiming to inject having fun back into the process of creating music.”
In other UMO news, the band recently launched UMOTV, a 24/7 livestream featuring their complete catalogue, music videos, and much more. UMOTV’s purpose is to offer an algorithm-free home for all things related to the band, and will also contain unreleased music, exclusive visuals, and other surprises.
Following the release of V, Nielson and co. will embark on a European and UK tour from May, including stops at festivals including End of the Road.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s “Meshuggah” is out now. V is out March 17th via Jagjaguwar (pre-save/pre-order here).
