The indie-folk group The Head and The Heart have announced their fourth studio album, Living Mirage, is set for a May 17th release date under Warner Bros. Records & Reprise Records. To celebrate the news further, they have also released their lead single for the forthcoming album, titled “Missed Connection.”

Earlier last year, the folk band came together at the Mojave Desert’s very own Joshua Tree where they began writing their upcoming album, with views to help inspire them. The recent “rebirth, a spirit quest of sorts as bassist Chris Zasche described it, came about from the growing pains after their last album in 2016, Signs of Light. From the departure of guitarist-vocalist Josiah Johnson, replaced by Matt Gervais (the husband to singer-violinist Charity Rose Thielen), and a return of keyboardist Kenny Hensley.

The writing and recording process moved outside of the desert, setting grounds in Appleton, Wisconsin’s The Refuge Fox Cities, West Seattle, Omnisound in Nashville and Barefoot Recordings in Los Angeles. “In my mind, the songs on this album are vignettes,” said singer Jon Russell.

Their newly released single, “Missed Connection,” focuses on the “anxiety that precedes that growth spurt” following their lineup changes. The catchy, upbeat tone was supposed to be a tribute to Russell’s girlfriend and how they met, but in return shifted to a reflection of the band’s history meeting at an open-mic in Seattle ten years ago.

The band also announced that they’re doing a special livestream performance from The Belasco in Los Angeles during the coming week on March 21st. The stream will begin at 8:30 pm PST, featuring intimate performances, and first listen to songs on the upcoming album.

The new album lives up to its title, shifting from uneasiness and angst to ultimate hope. “This is literally the most work we’ve ever done on an album,” said Russell.

Check out below for the album cover art and full album tracklist.

Living Mirage Tracklist:
See You Through My Eyes
Missed Connection
People Need a Melody
Honeybee
Brenda
Running Through Hell
Up Against The Wall
Saving Grace
I Found Out
Living Mirage
Glory of Music

Photo taken by Owen Ela