Unknown Mortal Orchestra has returned. Today, bandleader Ruban Nielson shared a new single "Layla" and the news that it's part of an upcoming album called V that's out March 17 via Jagjaguwar. V—the project's fifth proper album, and their first since 2018's Sex & Food—took shape in Palm Springs and draws influence from "West Coast AOR, classic hits, weirdo pop, and Hawaiian Hapa-haole music." The new track also comes with a video directed by Vira-Lata and is the first of a two-part series about two young women.
“In Hawaii, everything shifted off of me and my music,” Nielson said about the time creating the album. “Suddenly, I was spending more time figuring out what others need and what my role is within my family. I also learned that things I thought were true of myself are bigger than I thought. My way of making mischief—that’s not just me—that’s my whole Polynesian side. I thought I was walking away from music to focus on family, but the two ended up connecting.”
Watch "Layla" below, and pre-order V here.
