As T.S. Eliot once noted, the world will end not with a bang, but with every beloved American cartoon re-imagined as deeply disturbing figures in a live-action universe. Rather than shelling out for toothy CGI doppelgängers, though, Shannon Lay was kind enough to simply paint herself yellow for her new Simpsons-homaging video for “Death Up Close,” an appropriately dark single from her forthcoming LP August coming out in the titular month.
So far only familiar to those who’ve caught Lay live or in the studio, the LA songwriter and FEELS leader is serving up “Death” with a jaundiced-skin crawling clip for the somber acoustic ballad, featuring LA’s saxophonist-in-residence Mikal Cronin tearing it up on the brass. “I wanted to recognize that everyone else is going through something and reflect on that,” Lay divulges in a press statement for the track, notably eschewing any explanation for the nightmare-fuel of a video. “Don’t be so close-minded to think you’re the only one who’s got issues, in fact, find comfort in the thought that everyone is on their own journey.”
August is out August 24 on Sub Pop. You can pre-order it here, and you can catch Lay on tour (with some supporting dates for her Lego-skinned saxman) per the tour dates below.
Aug. 04 – Carlsbad, CA – Carlsbad Music Festival
Aug. 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Pico Union Project ***Record Release Show
Nov. 08 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios*
Nov. 09 – Vancouver, BC – The Fox Cabaret*
Nov. 10 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern*
Nov. 14 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club*
Nov. 15 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall *
Nov. 16 – Detroit, MI – Deluxx Fluxx*
Nov. 17 – Toronto, Canada – Horseshoe Tavern*
Nov. 18 – Montreal, Canada – Bar Le “Ritz” P.D.B.*
Nov. 19 – Allston, MA – Great Scott*
Nov. 20 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom*
Nov. 22 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts*
Nov. 23 – Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall*
Nov. 24 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall*
Nov. 25 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl*
Nov. 26 – New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks*
Nov. 27 – Austin, TX – Barracuda*
Nov. 30 – Tucson, AZ – Toole*
Dec. 01 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah*
* w/ Mikal Cronin
