Death Cab For Cutie Reveals New Album ‘I Built You A Tower’ and Debuts Lead Single ‘Riptides’
Death Cab For Cutie, known as indie rock mainstays, has announced the release of their eleventh studio album, titled “I Built You A Tower,” which is set to come out on June 5th of this year. The band also revealed the lead single off the album, called “Riptides,” along with news of an upcoming UK and European tour scheduled for September.
The new album, I Built You A Tower, was produced and engineered by John Congleton and was created during an intense three-week recording period. The recording sessions took place at Animal Rites studio in Los Angeles and the band members’ home studios in Seattle, Bellingham, Los Angeles, and Portland. This album marks a significant shift for the band as they return to their independent roots after spending two decades in the major label system.
The first single off the album, Riptides, was released alongside a music video directed by Jason Lester. Lead singer Ben Gibbard explained that the song captures the emotional turmoil of dealing with personal struggles amidst the backdrop of global tragedies and loss. He described how the intertwining of personal challenges with worldwide events can feel utterly paralyzing.
The band’s recent extensive anniversary tours, celebrating the 20th anniversaries of their albums Transatlanticism and Plans, played a crucial role in shaping the new album. These performances helped the group reconnect with the raw emotions that defined their early work. During this time, Ben Gibbard was delivering nightly double sets as the frontman for both Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service on arena stages, all while navigating significant personal challenges away from the spotlight. The album’s title, “I Built You A Tower,” emerged as a symbol of creating a mental space to store grief and loss while still moving forward.
I Built You A Tower is a reaffirmation of the band’s ethos that has guided their three-decade-long career. The record showcases the energy of five musicians working closely together, including core members Ben Gibbard, Nick Harmer, Jason McGerr, and multi-instrumentalists Dave Depper and Zac Rae. The band is gearing up to tour later this year, following a series of North American dates in the summer with a UK and European tour in the autumn.
The UK and Ireland tour dates are as follows:
– September 16th: Dublin, 3Olympia Theatre
– September 19th: Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse
– September 20th: Edinburgh, Corn Exchange
– September 21st: Gateshead, The Glasshouse
– September 23rd: Bristol, The Prospect Building
– September 25th: London, Troxy
The excitement around Death Cab For Cutie’s new album and tour is palpable. Fans are eagerly anticipating the release of “I Built You A Tower” and are looking forward to experiencing the band’s new material live on stage.