May 12, 2016
Canadian duo MSTRKRFT have returned from a five-year hiatus this past March. They've just announced a new album, to be titled Operator, and debuted “Party Line”, featuring Chain and the Gang’s Ian Svenonius.
Operator will be the first full-length release since 2009's Fist of God, though according to Billboard, members Jesse F. Keeler and Al-P have been quietly working on the new record since 2013.
On Operator, Keeler shared:
The ‘operator’ concept for us was essential in the creation of the music on this album, but I’m not sure what came first, the title or the idea. While browsing military related websites and blogs, mostly consisting of vets talking to each other like any civilian I suppose, I noticed repeated reference to something they called 'operator culture.' It seemed to be something that was sometimes laughed at, sometimes caused disdain, but was referenced constantly and seemed to be understood by everyone. I came to believe the operator concept is one of detachment.
On “Party Line”, Al-P shared:
Svenonius' commanding voice duels with the song's blaring synths. We had a really strong instrumental piece with the working title "Party Line" that demanded a vocal with a certain swagger. Ian was able re-contextualize the title and make it work with the lyrics he wrote, which became something we connected with personally, and fit perfectly with the entire album as a body of work.
10-track, military influenced Operator is available for pre-order on iTunes and will be released July 22 via Last Gang Records.
MSTRKRFT will also embark on a mini US Tour this Summer. Dates include:
06/01- Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
06/02 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
06/04 - Chicago, IL @ Double Door
06/08 - Denver, CO @ Club Vinyl
06/10 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
06/11 - Los Angeles, CA @ Exchange
06/13 - Ottawa, ON @ Ritual Nightclub
06/14 -Toronto, ON @ The Horseshoe Tavern
Image: EtcEtc.TV