Indie-rockers Metric have released their third single “Now or Never Now,” off their upcoming album Art of Doubt, which is set to be released on September 21st. This latest track has been performed “live for a little while now,” according to Spin, who shared a performance of the song from August of this year.

“Now or Never Now,” clocks in a little under six and a half minutes, opening with an energetic synth lead before the drums kick in. The song carries an upbeat tone which blends in with lead singer Emily Haines’ atmospheric lyrical content and delivery.

Earlier this year the band announced a September release for their upcoming seventh studio album, along with the single “Dark Saturday,” and its accompanying music video. In contrast with the style of this latter single, the song hosts a more garage-rock vibe, opening up with a brooding electric guitar riff, before giving way to Haines’ raw vocal delivery.

“Dressed to Suppress,” was released later that month, along with its music video which displays the band performing in a live venue. While the song opens up with a synth lead, its tone is a lot more dark and brooding, giving it a darker vibe than “Now or Never Now.” Haines’ vocals juggle a couple of styles, going from a quick consistent tone in the verses, to a dreary and atmospheric style during the bridge and chorus.

“Lyrically, the song explores the maze of conflicts we encounter in our attempts at finding and holding onto love; the absurd mating rituals we routinely perform; and the vast divide between the desires our appearances can imply and the way we actually feel inside,” Haines stated regarding the track “Sonically, it’s one of the most intense songs on the album. We’re already playing it live and it’s getting stronger every night. The contrast between the delicate, dreamy opening and the heavy riffs of the verse and chorus match the dramatic emotional shifts we all go through when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, the push and pull of retaining our own identities in love.”

During the last two days of August Metric performed alongside The Smashing Pumpkins during their Shiny And Oh So Bright Tour. This performance took place at the Forum in Inglewood, California, where the band opened for the ’90s rock veterans.

Earlier this year the band performed at the Field Trip Festival, in  Toronto, Canada at the historic Fort York & Garrison Common. They joined other prominent indie acts including the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Alvvays and Japandroids.

Haines has also been busy with her own solo project, releasing her second solo studio album Choir of Mind in 2017, as Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton. This piano laden track holds a deep and somber tone before going into various types of instrumentation.

“The whole process of why music needs to happen when it needs to happen has always been mysterious to me,” Haines told Rolling Stone back in 2017. “We function very much outside of a commercial imperative, so this one, it just was time.”

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat