Death Cab for Cutie to release new album “I Built You A Tower” featuring lead single “Riptides”
After a four-year hiatus from releasing new music, Death Cab for Cutie is making a triumphant return. This morning, the acclaimed indie rock band revealed plans for their 11th studio album, titled “I Built You a Tower,” set to be released on June 5 under ANTI- Records. Alongside this announcement, the band unveiled the album’s lead single, “Riptides.”
“I Built You a Tower” holds a special significance for Death Cab for Cutie as it marks their return to an indie label. For the past two decades, the band has been under Atlantic Records, making this upcoming album their first independent release since their 2003 classic, “Transatlanticism.” The recording process for the new album took place at Animal Rites in Los Angeles and in various homes of band members located in Seattle, Bellingham, Los Angeles, and Portland.
The lead single, “Riptides,” delves into the exhaustion and challenges of navigating personal struggles amidst a backdrop of global crises and tragedies. Frontman Ben Gibbard explains, “‘Riptides’ is about the challenge of dealing with personal struggles as the world around us experiences tragedy and loss on an unfathomable scale. And how, when these two elements intertwine themselves in our psyches, it feels utterly paralyzing.” The band also released a music video for the single, directed by Jason Lester.
In recent years, Ben Gibbard’s personal and professional lives have intersected in meaningful ways. He embarked on co-headlining anniversary tours for albums “Transatlanticism” and “Give Up” with Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service in 2023 and 2024, revisiting songs that have become iconic while embracing the present. This duality is at the core of “I Built You a Tower,” a record that draws from the band’s earlier inspirations while incorporating the growth and maturity gained over the years.
To support the upcoming album, Death Cab for Cutie has announced a UK/EU Tour set for the fall, following a North American tour scheduled to kick off in May with opening acts Jay Som, Japanese Breakfast, Nation of Language, and Lala Lala. “Riptides” is now available for streaming on all platforms and for purchase. Fans can also pre-order “I Built You a Tower” to secure their copy.