Alex Calder, the former Makeout Videotape bandmate of indie-rock slacker king Mac Demarco is back with a new song and album announcement. His new album, which will be self-titled, is set for release on October 20, 2017 through Captured Tracks. Technically it is only the second LP to be released by the Canadian singer (following Strange Dreams), but he has released a long string of music following the disbanding of Makeout Videotape, beginning with the excellent (if brief) EP Time. The new song, called “Morning Ritual” is classic lo-fi guitar pop with echoing instrumentation and mumbled but melodic singing.

According to his label, Captured Tracks, the new album drew inspiration from Paul Thomas Anderson, old anime films, Stereolab, Kate Bush, and even video game soundtracks like Earthbound and Zelda Ocarina Of Time. This new album appears to be the classic tale of a lo-fi artist stepping outside of his comfort zone to create a slightly higher-fidelity sound:

“I was nervous to record in a space that wasn’t my bedroom and that wasn’t extremely personal,” Calder said in a statement on the Captured Tracks website. “But having that second set of eyes from Garrett pushed me in a lot of ways and lead me to not just settle for mediocre takes.”

He also describes the record as one that is somber without being depressing. Calder, who is known for his goofy attitude (much like his famous ex-bandmate) – just take one look at his press photos to confirm this – isn’t afraid to be personal in his music. As he describes the record, it is “sad clown music.”

Alex Calder track list

1. Operator
2. Morning Ritual (feat. Caroline Levasseur)
3. Noticing Me
4. Another Day (feat. Caroline Levasseur)
5. End of Time
6. Death Beside Me
7. Sleep Like This
8. Loosen Up
9. Slowing Down
10. Fading Away
11. Half an Hour (feat. Garrett Johnson)
12. Goodnight

Alex Calder Tour Dates

10/11 – Baby G – Toronto, ON
10/17 – The Paperhaus – Washington, DC
10/19 – Everybody Hits – Philadelphia, PA
10/20 – Sunnyvale – Brooklyn, NY
10/22 – Great Scott – Boston, MA
10/24 – Aphodian Theatre – Portland, ME
10/25 – Monkey House – Winooski, VT