I never before crossed paths with Amen Dunes, the moniker of Brooklyn’s Damon McMahon’s, and clearly I’ve been missing out. McMahon and his whole roster of impressive collaborators are preparing the release of new album Love, reportedly recorded in Montreal with Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s David Bryant and Efrim Menuck handling production.
“I Can’t Dig It” is the latest in a string of teasers, all equally graphic in their lo-fi simplicity. So far each new track shoots off in a different direction, with former singles “Lonely Richard” (featuring Iceage/Vår frontman Elias Bender-Ronnenfelt on vocals) and “Lilac In Hand” chugging along in languid country-tinged pulse. While the production is still shrouded deep in McMahon’s typical muffled lo-fi moist, “I Can’t Dig It” is by comparison cramped with a classic punk-rock gust thanks to Efrim Menuck’s distorted guitars and Colin Stetson’s obscured sax play. Love is shaping up to be this spring’s most important psych-folk release. Out on May 13 via Sacred Bones.
