(Photo Credit: Marisa Rose Ficara)
Classic American new wave band Blondie announced that they will be releasing Pollinator, their 11th studio album, on May 5 via BMG. To entice fans, the announcement comes with the release of “Fun,” a euphoric track that features a complex symphony of synths, driving percussion and Debbie Harry’s icy cool vocals.
Blondie’s classic songwriting duo of Debbie Harry and Chris Stein are at the heart of Pollinator‘s creation, and founding drummer Clem Burke provides the unmistakably thrilling propulsion throughout. Harry and Stein’s instantly addictive “Doom Or Destiny” boasts vocals from the invincible Joan Jett while their carnival-esque “Love Level” features vocals from cross dressing comedian/singer and Bob’s Burgers regular John Roberts. The Gregory Brothers (founders of Songify the News) appear on “When I Gave Up On You.” Renowned creative pioneer Laurie Anderson appears on “Tonight,” a hidden track penned by Charli XCX song found only on the CD version of the album.
It was GRAMMY Award-winning producer John Congleton (Franz Ferdinand, St. Vincent, Sigur Ros) who brought the late ’70s Parallel Lines attitude out of Blondie again on Pollinator, with arrangements that are fast and fun, lyrics that are are romantic and teasing, and synth-stoked hooks that evoke the new wave era. For their most collaborative album to date, recorded at NYC’s famed studio The Magic Shop, Blondie enlisted an eclectic group of songwriters who have offered their own interpretation of Blondie’s legacy back to the very band that helped to shape their own musical DNA.
TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek returns Blondie to a 21st Century Studio 54 on “Fun.” Blood Orange frontman Dev Hynes penned “Long Time,” a song about “racing down the Bowery” and wondering if life turned out the way you wanted it to. The Sia-penned track “Best Day Ever,” a collaboration with The Strokes’ Nick Valensi, ponders the push-pull of bittersweet memories. The Charli XCX tune “Gravity” bonds Charli and Debbie in their mutual pop-punk cheekiness. “My Monster” comes courtesy of The Smiths’ Johnny Marr. “Fragments,” the contribution from Adam Johnston aka an Unkindess, was first heard as a sample on the Canadian indie artist’s YouTube movie reviews.
The album artwork was designed by artist Shepard Fairey, and the record will be physically available in CD, digital, heavy weight vinyl, and a limited edition 7″ box set. Fans can also pre-order a limited red heavy weight vinyl album from Blondie’s store and an exclusive white heavy weight vinyl from independent retailers.
Check out the lead single, album artwork and tracklist below.
Pollinator Tracklist
1. Doom or Destiny
2. Long Time
3. Already Naked
4. Fun
5. My Monster
6. Best Day Ever
7. Gravity
8. When I Gave Up On You
9. Love Level
10. Too Much
11. Fragments
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