Last summer, Austin psych-rock outfit Holy Wave were invited by Suicide Squeeze to contribute to the label’s Pinks and Purples singles series, sharing an exploratory track called “Chaparral” which continued the experimentation heard on their kraut-conscious 2020 LP Interloper. Turns out their relationship with the label was a good fit, as today they’ve announced that their follow-up to Interloper, very Suicide-Squeezily titled Five of Cups, would be arriving this summer through them.
The first taste of the record drops today with the driving psych-lite of “Happier,” which seems to have more in common with the DIY-grunge likes Ovlov than the band’s recent labelmates on The Reverberation Appreciation Society before slipping into a spaced-out outro featuring guest vocals from Estrella del Sol of Mint Field. “We knew that we wanted something unique for the outro,” vocalist Ryan Fuson shares, “but we didn’t really know what it was that we were looking for, so we sent the song to Estrella and basically asked her to do whatever she thought was right and she completely exceeded our vision. It really took the song to a whole new level, some place we have never been before.”
As for the track’s subject matter, Fuson adds that the single is an homage of sorts to the novelist and humanist Kurt Vonnegut, imagining how his ideas may apply to the world today. “The song [takes] some of his ideas and quotes and [explores] them a little further,” Fuson adds. “Mainly just a song about happiness today and maybe where it was during his time.”
Hear it below with an acid-soaked visual created by Arturo Baston. Five of Cups is out August 4—you can pre-order that here, and check out their handful of newly announced tour dates following the release beneath the video.
Aug 8 - Andy's - Denton, TX
Aug 9 - Opolis - Norman, OK
Aug 11 - Back Alley Ballyhoo - Indianapolis, IN
Aug 12 - JJs Bohemia - Chattanooga, TN
Aug 13 - Upstairs at Avondale - Birmingham, AL
Aug 15 - Alabama Music Box - Mobile, AL
Aug 16 - Continental Club - Houston, TX
Aug 17 - Paper Tiger - San Antonio, TX
