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Wild Nothing – the beloved Captured Tracks mainstay headed by Jack Tatum – announces new album Hold (out October 27), Wild Nothing’s first new LP in five years, and Tatum’s first self-produced record since his 2010 debut (Gemini).
Amidst larger than life anxiety that accompanied the sleepless nights of early fatherhood, Tatum turned to dance music to reconnect with his body. While honoring the shoegaze-inspired, 80s synth-pop atmosphere of Wild Nothing’s past, Hold showcases Tatum’s deft songwriting – sharpened further by his acclaimed collaborations with Japanese Breakfast and Molly Burch – placing Tatum at the forefront of a searching and existential record that finds joy in electronica-inspired music, bringing the beloved sounds of Wild Nothing past into Jack Tatum’s present.
The news is accompanied by a music video directed by Nathan Castiel (Remi Wolf, Hatchie, Model/Actriz) for new single “Headlights On (ft. Hatchie).” Mixed by Jorge Elbrecht (Japanese Breakfast), drum production by Tommy Davidson of Beach Fossils, and featuring vocals from Hatchie’s Harriette Pilbeam, “Headlights On” places Wild Nothing at the forefront of an acid house beat and technicolor ride through a suburban night – the club ambiance juxtaposed by the lyrical examination of one of the lowest points in Tatum’s romantic relationship.
“This track was incredibly cathartic for me. It’s a song about your relationship reaching its most brittle moment and still trying to find even the smallest open window that can lead you back to that person,” says Tatum of today’s release. “Musically I was drawn towards something that felt very body centric and could help get me out of my own repetitive thought patterns. It’s a propulsive and hopeful track that’s meant to act as a release valve, but the somberness that inspired the song remains intact.”
Traversing through Tatum’s inner world on the back of joyous synthwork, Holddetails Tatum’s self destructive tendencies (tropical art-rock number “The Bodybuilder”), explores human desperation (the anti-jingle “Suburban Solutions”), celebrates a renewed sense of spirituality (atop a bubbly-but-menacing beat on “Basement El Dorado”), and reveals promises made to his infant son (the cinematic album closer “Pulling Down The Moon”). Influences range from the somber side of Charli XCX to the techno-pop of Yellow Magic Orchestra, childhood favorites The Chemical Brothers and Orbital, and the accessible art-rock of So era Peter Gabriel.
“I’ve sat with this record for a very long time now, so naturally I’m both excited and apprehensive to let it see the light,” shares Tatum on Hold. “It’s my first record as a father. My first self-produced record since my debut. It’s a record that deals in existential themes but doesn’t always take itself too seriously. It’s not afraid of pop but it’s hopefully not afraid to be strange either. It has fun, gets sad, dwells in the quiet moments and embraces the loud ones. It’s me doing what I love and feeling grateful for it.”
Featuring contributions from Molly Burch, Becca Mancari, Tommy Davidson of Beach Fossils, Hatchie, his wife, Dana, and mixed by Geoff Swan (Caroline Polachek, Charli XCX) Hold is a direct reflection of Tatum’s enduring solo career and the growth he’s experienced over the last five years as a songwriter and collaborator.
Pre-order Hold here
Wild Nothing will be on tour this November to celebrate the release of Hold,including an NYC show at Music Hall Of Williamsburg and an LA set at the Fonda Theatre – full dates below.
Fall tour dates
Nov 09 – Washington DC – 9:30 Club
Nov 10 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
Nov 11 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
Nov 12 – Norflolk, VA – The Nova
Nov 14 – Los Angeles, CA – Fonda Theatre
Nov 15 – San Francisco, CA – Independent
Nov 17 – San Diego, CA – Quartyard
Nov 18 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory
Nov 20 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
‘Hold’ track list
1. Headlights On
2. Basement El Dorado
3. The Bodybuilder
4. Suburban Solutions
5. Presidio
6. Dial Tone
7. Histrion
8. Prima
9. Alex
10. Little Chaos
11. Pulling Down The Moon (Before You)